As part of Maryland baseball’s Fort Night, a promotion for the Terps’ favorite video game Fortnite: Battle Royale, a fan in the stands chugged a glass of blue water, mimicking a shield potion from the game.
Maryland’s dugout cheered the display and carried that energy into the bottom of the second inning. The noise seemed to bother Illinois starter Ryan Schmitt, and after the sophomore right-hander fanned designated hitter Justin Vought, he turned to the bench and put his finger to his lips, shushing the Terps.
Maryland had already plated one run in the frame, but with two outs and two on, catcher Justin Morris turned on a fastball and launched his first extra-base hit of the season for a three-run home run. Schmitt, who was making his first career start, bent over in frustration and placed his hands on his knees as the Terps spilled out of the dugout with a four-run lead.
The Terps maintained the pressure for the rest of Schmitt’s 3 2/3 innings, leading to a 7-1 Friday night win after losing the first game of their doubleheader earlier in the day.
“Maybe that’s just karma coming back at him,” Morris said. “It’s whatever.”
First baseman Kevin Biondic and Morris led the way with three hits each.
After beginning the second inning with a double, Biondic bent down and rotated one arm over another in honor of the Terps’ Fortnite obsession, imitating how the characters apply bandages. Biondic and Morris helped bring the craze to the team during winter break.
Left fielder Will Watson said Thursday he hopes those imaginary bandages could help heal the Terps’ very real offensive struggles this year. The team entered Friday’s games hitting .228.
The Maryland (15-16, 3-2 Big Ten) lineup came through in the nightcap of the doubleheader, though, forcing an early departure for Schmitt (1-1, 5.89 ERA). Schmitt turned and watched with his hands on his hips when Biondic launched a home run to lead off the third, and the pitcher slumped following Morris’ three-run shot.
“We’ve been here a couple times this year where we’re kind of staring adversity in the face,” coach Rob Vaughn said. “It’s all about the way we respond and shoot, came out and did a great job, both Blohm and the offense tonight.”
Maryland starter Tyler Blohm (5-2, 4.08 ERA) struck out first baseman Bren Spillane three times, finding success against the Illini (18-8, 5-3) lineup. In the first game, starter Taylor Bloom struggled against the power-hitting order, surrendering a career-high 10 runs and five extra-base hits.
When two fans raced past the Terps’ dugout after the fourth inning dressed as bushes from Fortnite, Blohm said he turned and watched as he threw warmup pitches. He, like the rest of the team, loves the video game.
“We’ll look for anything to get us going,” Blohm said. “It’s something to keep us loose.”
With two runners in scoring position and one out in the fifth, Blohm got a strikeout and center fielder Zach Jancarski laid out to snag a line drive to end the threat.
Blohm completed 6 1/3 innings, allowing one run while striking out nine. His effort backed a Terps lineup that reached at least 10 hits for the second straight game.
Closer John Murphy tossed 2 2/3 scoreless frames to rebound from the team’s 10-6 loss earlier in the day and force a Sunday rubber match.
“I think [the first loss] fired us up as a team,” Blohm said. “It definitely fired me up. I wanted to go back, get out here as soon as possible, and show them what we’re made of and stuff. And I think we did a really good job of responding.”
