John Szefc
After losing two of three at Florida to start the season, the Terrapins baseball team seems to have left those early-season troubles down south. Since then, the Terps have won seven straight games — six by at least three runs — behind dominant pitching and a selective plate approach.
But a significant test of their improvement lies in a return to the Sunshine State, where they have struggled in the past.
This weekend, the Terps visit No. 2 Florida State to open ACC play in a season in which they are looking to end an eight-year postseason drought.
“I think we have a lot of guys that are playing that are comfortable,” coach John Szefc said. “Our pitching and defense has been very good. We have to get some more guys comfortable offensively so that we can just be more consistent offensively.”
The Terps allowed 19 runs against Florida in February but have given up 12 during their current winning streak. While right-hander Jake Stinnett has grabbed the headlines — he won ACC Pitcher of the Week twice in a row and threw a no-hitter Saturday against Massachusetts — right-handers Mike Shawaryn and Jared Price have both had solid outings.
Since the opening weekend, none of the three has pitched fewer than five innings or given up more than two runs in a start.
But Florida State presents a much more formidable challenge than Bryant or UMass. The Seminoles lead the ACC in on-base percentage, slugging percentage and RBIs and rank near the top of the conference in almost every major offensive statistical category. Plus, they boast some star power with Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Jameis Winston turning in effective outings out of the bullpen and in the outfield.
“They have a lot of patient hitters,” Stinnett said. “They like to take strikes early in the count. Just sticking to the same approach, throw strikes early in the count and let them get behind in the count and beat them from there.”
Last season, the Terps won the first game against Florida State at Bob “Turtle” Smith Stadium but couldn’t secure the series, losing Games 2 and 3 by one run apiece.
The Terps had at least one win against every ACC team they played last season except North Carolina and earned their most conference victories since 1971, but they didn’t win an ACC series until they played Duke the last weekend of April.
“You win the Friday night game, Saturday’s not an off day,” designated hitter Kyle Convissar said. “Saturday, you try to win the series, and if you win the Saturday game, then you try to sweep the series. There’s never a game off, especially in ACC play.”
Szefc said he’s occasionally emphasized the importance of ending a series with a Sunday victory, and he believes the series wins will come as long as the Terps focus on consistency.
The Terps offense has been inconsistent at times this season. In the second game of their doubleheader against UMass, the Terps had an eight-run fifth inning in a 10-1 victory. The next day, however, they produced three runs in an extra-innings victory.
And because of bad weather, the Terps were deprived of two midweek games — opportunities to prepare offensively for the Seminoles’ pitching staff, which includes three experienced starters with ERAs less than 2.70.
Those at-bats would have been especially helpful for Convissar, who missed the first eight games with an injury and went 1-for-6 in two starts against UMass.
But the Terps are focusing on what they can control. Another trip to Florida means warmer weather and the start of a new phase of the season with conference play.
“This is where you make your season,” Stinnett said. “It’s going to be a challenge playing in the ACC, and I think everyone on our team enjoys a challenge.”
