Maryland baseball began its 2026 season with a 5-3 victory over UNC Wilmington on Friday, secured by a crucial defensive play in the ninth inning. With one out remaining, UNC Wilmington third baseman Lucas Trevor hit a ground ball to Maryland shortstop Ty Kaunas, who quickly relayed the throw to second baseman David Mendez for a game-ending force out.
The win marked the third consecutive season the Terrapins have opened with a victory. Sophomore Lance Williams, a transfer from East Carolina, made an impressive debut on the mound, striking out six batters over five innings and allowing just one run. Maryland head coach Matt Swope praised Williams’ performance, stating, “Lance is a dog, and that’s why we went and got him.”
UNC Wilmington took an early lead in the second inning when Jake Bechtel scored on a single by Kevin Jones. However, Maryland responded in the third, with sophomore Jackson Sirois scoring on a passed ball to tie the game at 1-1. The Terrapins added another run in the fourth inning on an RBI fielder’s choice by Aden Hill.
Maryland extended its lead in the sixth inning with a solo home run by sophomore catcher Rylen Stockton, his first of the season, sending the ball 392 feet to left-center field. Stockton, a transfer from UNC Asheville, was a Big South All-Conference Second Team selection in 2025.
The Seahawks attempted a late rally in the sixth, scoring an RBI double to narrow the gap to 3-2. However, Maryland quickly regained a two-run advantage after a wild pitch from Wilmington freshman Clay Masonis allowed Brayden Martin to score. Martin, a junior from Bowie, Maryland, finished the game 2-for-4 with a walk and a stolen base. Swope described Martin as “steady” and someone who “is going to anchor the lineup.”
Further offensive contributions came from Ryan Costello, who drove in a run with a double down the first base line in the seventh, increasing Maryland’s lead to 5-3. Costello recorded the first base hit of the game in the second inning.
Maryland reliever Cristofer Cespedes secured the win, pitching the final four innings and striking out five batters while allowing two runs. Cespedes completed his outing in just 34 pitches, with 32 strikes. Despite allowing six hits, he did not issue any walks.
Maryland’s outfield similarly played a key role in the victory, with center fielder Antonio Morales and Martin each recording flyouts in the eighth inning. In his first start at shortstop, freshman Ty Kaunas, a highly-touted No. 13 recruit, went 2-for-5 at the plate.
The Terps have now won ten games against UNC Wilmington, all played in North Carolina.