The bad news is that the Boston College Eagles baseball team had its worst season in program history in 2013, losing 40 of the 52 games in which they played, including 25 of their 29 ACC contests.

The good news is that the nightmare is over. BC’s season ended on Saturday afternoon following a 5-4 walk-off loss to the Maryland Terrapins in ten innings.

On Thursday, the Eagles took the series opener, 2-1. Hunter Gordon, arguably the team’s best starting pitcher over the full course of the season, got a well-earned win to end his Boston College pitching career. Chris Shaw went 2-for-3 in the victory.

On Friday, Boston College had the tables turned on them in a 4-1 defeat, and in the season finale on Saturday, the Terps grabbed the rubber game after BC blew a 4-run lead across the bottom of the 8th and bottom of the 9th.

The team’s final batting average is .209, one of the lowest in Division I. Boston College was outscored by 148 runs, 322 to 174. They also committed 82 errors over the course of the season, which was second-most in the ACC.

Now, realistically, Brad Bates watch begins. One would imagine that the head coach, Mike Gambino, is in serious jeopardy of losing his job after losing 107 games in his three years (51-107 overall record). There are a great many things to fix about the program, including long-term things such as facilities development, but bringing in a new face to start over would be a good place to start.

The 2013 Boston College Eagles baseball season began away from the Heights, and it will end away from the Heights. With the way things have gone this year, the sooner, the better.

With a three-game series at quasi-ACC, more-like-Big Ten foe Maryland last on the schedule, the end is very near. Short of salvaging any sort of pride by winning the series, it will be a blessing when the final out is recorded, so that Boston College baseball can begin picking up the pieces from its worst season in the program’s history.

At the moment, the Eagles are 11-38 (3-23) — for perspective, the second-worst ACC team’s overall record is Duke at 26-26, thirteen and a half games better than BC. In terms of conference wins, the ACC’s 11th-place team is 9-18, five and a half games clear. The Eagles aren’t merely the worst team in the conference at the moment: they’re the worst by miles.

When this season comes to an end for Boston College on Saturday — the series with the Terps runs from today, Thursday, through Saturday — it will go down as their worst ever, and one of the worst in the recent history of Atlantic Coast Conference. Maryland lost 39 games in 2010 with just five conference wins; with a series loss, however, the Eagles can become the first ACC team in seven years to clear the 40-loss mark (2006 Duke).

With any luck, Boston College Athletics will flush out the dead wood after Saturday to reboot the Eagles for 2014 and beyond, but for now, we just have to get through one more series.

Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Admiral Ackbar was right, and that’s bad news for the bubblicious Maryland Terrapins.

On Tuesday night at Conte Forum, the Boston College Eagles defeated Maryland, 69-58, in their ACC contest. BC has now won two of their last three games, both at home, and improves to 12-14 (4-9) on the season. At the moment, the Eagles are tied for 9th in the conference.

These two teams played once before in January, which was a narrow win for Maryland. In that game, much like Tuesday night’s encounter, the offenses started slowly. Both teams struggled to find the hoop early, but then it became a game of runs: BC shot out to a lead, then Maryland came back and took a lead of their own. The scores would eventually level, but Maryland (Logan Aronhalt, specifically) went on one more big run to close out the half and give his Terps a 33-26 lead.

The Eagles began the second half by taking three quick fouls in less than thirty seconds, but the Terrapins gave them an opening: Maryland couldn’t make any baskets, but Olivier Hanlan and his Eagles heated up. In reality, despite the final score, the meeting was back-and-forth for much of the latter half, but BC took the lead for good when Hanlan was at the line shooting free throws with 5:04 to go. The home team was able to pull away in the final minutes, going on a 20-8 run to close out the game.

Olivier Hanlan’s star continues to grow in the Atlantic Coast Conference, as the young man who many now suspect will be ACC Rookie of the Year led the way with 26 points. Logan Aronholt of Maryland, the three-point sharpshooter who gave BC trouble all night, also had 26. Nobody else in the Eagles’ starting rotation had a remarkable night, as non-Hanlan starters shot a dreadful 4-for-25 (16%) from the floor.

The other story was Eddie Odio, the sophomore who seemed early on to be one of the most improved players on the team this year. It has now become obvious. Several more slam dunks were added to his tally and he made a few solid defensive plays en route to an 8-point, 11-rebound, 6-block performance. Odio also had half of BC’s eight offensive boards, saving a few critical possessions for the Eagles. He is evolving into a very useful player for Steve Donahue and gives him needed depth off the bench. Lonnie Jackson was a help from there as well, scoring 13.

Dennis Clifford, hampered by injuries all season, played just five minutes and looked in pain doing it. It is a legitimate wonder how much more court time he will see this season given that BC is merely playing out the string.

Whatever Clifford’s situation, the Eagles have finally started to find a few ACC wins and handed Maryland a bad loss for their NCAA Tournament hopes in the process. Getting their fifth conference win of the season in their next game will be a little more difficult: BC next faces Duke in Durham on Sunday afternoon.

Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

It’s a trap! Or is it?

By definition, sure it is. The Maryland Terrapins just made their season with a huge win over the #2 Duke Blue Devils at home on Saturday. Now they get to fly north to frosty Boston to face the Boston College Eagles, a team that plays competitive games at home but is nevertheless near the bottom of the ACC.

This is because in spite of these competitive games, the Eagles have lost nearly all of them. Only the Wake Forest game of recent times could be considered a bright spot, as BC came back to win a game in the closing moments instead of blowing it. None of that changes the fact that a number of teams, including some of the best in the conference, have had to work hard to escape Chestnut Hill with a win. Middle-of-the-pack Maryland may be no different, or they might not leave with a win at all.

These two teams faced one another about a month ago in College Park; Maryland won, 64-59. Boston College was offensively comatose for about the first twelve minutes of the game, but then scored 20 points in the following six minutes to create a tie at the half. The game was quite winnable for the visitors at the end, if not for some key mistakes by the Eagles, particularly early. A team cannot win a game in the first ten minutes, but you can lose one, and BC did that day. Maryland did not play well early in that contest, either, and the Eagles missed an opportunity.

Speaking of missed opportunities, this year has been full of them for Boston College. The Eagles have been left with what-ifs such as North Carolina State, Duke, and Miami, to name a few. All three of those games were eminently winnable and could have changed the tenor of the 2012-13 season for BC, but all three went in the loss column. The Terps wouldn’t be nearly the kind of win that any of those games might have been, but it would say conclusively once again that the Eagles haven’t given up. That’s probably the nicest thing anyone can say about the team as a whole this season: that they’re not quitters.

When Maryland comes to Conte Forum tonight at 9pm, they might be hung over from the Duke game, or they might not. If you’re Boston College, expect that they won’t be, and keep fighting.

Jan 22, 2013; College Park, MD, USA; Maryland Terrapins center Alex Len (25) defends Boston College Eagles forward Ryan Anderson (12) at Comcast Center. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-USA TODAY Sports

This storyline has definitely become commonplace for the Boston College Men’s Basketball program. It is able to take leads against the big boys, but it can’t finish for the life of it. It’s like Ted Mosby on “How I Met Your Mother”. You keep thinking that maybe his next date will be the one for him but no, it’s going to take nine seasons to figure out who the lucky woman is going to be. Boston College has chickened out at the altar during all of their ACC games. They have had the lead, yet they decide to get sloppy and give up their advantage. It’s absolutely mind boggling at times.

And then there is the free throw shooting horror that we have been subjected to the past couple of games. Continuing their streak from the Miami game, the Eagles only made 10 out of 17 chances from the charity stripe. Now, I’m no John Wooden, but when give up that many opportunities for free points, you are most likely going to have a hard time winning the game. This is especially essential when you are only shooting 35.7%(20/56) from the floor.

However, as BC fans, we must look at the bright side. This is a young, growing team that has proven that it can stick around with the big boys(yes that is what I am calling the mediocre Maryland) for at least the first 37 minutes of the game. And with a proven guy like Alex Dragicevich finally being cleared to play next season, the Eagles will definitely have a solid shot at the tournament with a chance to go deep. Okay maybe that is just delusional BC fan talk. I’ll stop.

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Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports

Things haven’t been going well for Boston College men’s basketball, except when they have. Things have been going well for Maryland men’s basketball, aside from when they haven’t. The two programs that will face each other are not in the same situation or even similar ones, but both are in a state of flux and are not so straightforward to read. It depends on one’s perspective.

On the part of the Eagles, observers see a team that is 9-8 but has arguably played better than its record. Still, losses are losses no matter how they came, yet this team won nine games all of last season. Their current record is an improvement on what it was a year ago, but it belies some of the strides they have made.

As for Maryland, the Terrapins are 14-4 and fully intend on making the NCAA Tournament in their penultimate season in the ACC, but their record perhaps tells a different story. Of those 14 victories, just one, NC State, carries significance. Aside from that, the Terps played one of the weakest non-conference schedules in the nation this year, and though they won those games — all but one, anyway — their win total sounds nicer than it actually is. One might believe that a 14-4 team is well on its way to a bid, but as it stands now, they will struggle to get in the big dance at all.

Oh sure, Maryland went just 17-15 last year, so it would seem that they are set for some improvement as well, but the net result might be the same as a bunch of those new victories carry less weight. Boston College would kill to have 14 wins right now, but for Maryland, those 14 are not enough for the Selection Committee or the Terp faithful.

Neither team is what it seems to be. The Eagles are no pushover for a 9-8 team (though they are developing a recent habit of losing close games and not being able to close them out), while Maryland is not nearly a juggernaut at 14-4. One thing that can be counted on is that BC will give Maryland a respectable effort, even if in defeat, tiresome as it may be to lose.

Should Boston College win, that might also be a matter of perspective. Maryland would be one of BC’s better wins, while BC might be one of Maryland’s worse losses when all is said and done. The Eagles are not playing for a tournament bid, but the Terps are, and from their point of view, BC is not a loss they want or need to take. If the Eagles are ready for their second ACC road win, it’s there for the taking in College Park. Maryland is fine, but not unbeatable, while BC is shaky, but more than pesky these days.

The opening tip is at 9pm on ESPNU.

Bob DeChiara-US PRESSWIRE

Just like last season, Boston College’s game with Maryland stopped a downward slide.

On Saturday afternoon, during a game in which the home team honored the Wounded Warriors Project, the Boston College Eagles defeated the Maryland Terrapins, 20-17. The win is BC’s first against FBS and ACC competition this season, raising their record to 2-6 (1-4) and ending a five-game losing streak.

As predicted, it was a low-scoring game, though that is not to say both teams did not have chances. Maryland had the ball first and punted, and good starting field position led to a quick Boston College touchdown. The Terps’ next drive was similar, and the starting field position was even better for the Eagles the second time. As has been their wont, however, another BC running back fumbled at the goal line in what would have been a 14-0 game. This time, it was Andre Williams, but fortunately for the Eagles, it did not haunt them.

Both teams left points on the field in a game that BC led 10-0 at the half. The Eagles were eventually able to stretch it to 13-0, but then Maryland came back and scored 17 unanswered points in the second half, capped by a 66-yard touchdown pass from freshman quarterback Caleb Rowe to Stefon Diggs.

Despite a dismal record on third downs (3-for-13) in the game and a general lack of offensive consistency after halftime, Chase Rettig was able to lead his team down the field on an 85-yard drive. He took his licks on every other play, but hung in there long enough to find his receivers, including a wide-open Johnathan Coleman for the game-winner with 52 seconds to go. Maryland had time, but Rowe was intercepted at the start of their would-be comeback drive to seal the Eagles victory.

This game unfolded largely as expected, in that it was a low-scoring game in which the matchup between Maryland’s offense and BC’s defense was roughly even overall, but at the end, Maryland’s defense blinked. Rettig was not perfect, but he once again showed more than enough poise and confidently led his team down the field for the game-winning score. Give credit as well, of course, to players like Alex Amidon, who made some tough catches and helped key the offense to a win.

More on the Eagles defense: it did not melt down as it had in games past. Coming into the game, anyone who saw the statistics for both teams would know that both the Maryland offense and BC defense were down near the bottom of the country, but one of them ultimately had to step up, and today, it was the defense. In a season where we have not given them much credit at all, let them at least be proud of their improved effort today.

Regardless of your feelings on the coaching staff, and nothing has changed in that regard, this is a time to be happy for the players, especially the seniors. They do not have many home games left, and it has to be very difficult to get embarrassed week after week. They worked hard and made the plays to win, and Maryland did not. Even if things don’t pan out for them the rest of the way, they deserve their credit this week.

Next week, Boston College goes to Winston-Salem to face the Wake Forest Demon Deacons.

Evan Habeeb-US PRESSWIRE

The Maryland game in 2011 gave the Eagles their second win last season, and while it didn’t change the overall outcome of the year, it did show that the 1-11 doom season would not happen. Just like last year, Boston College rolls into this game at 1-6. Meanwhile, the Terrapins are at 4-3 thanks in large part to their stout defense. Who takes this matchup at Chestnut Hill?

How Maryland Will Win

Maryland will win if their defense asserts itself the way it has for most of their first seven games of the year, and if Boston College’s defense does its usual as well. It doesn’t matter that they’ll be starting freshman Caleb Rowe, because their offense hasn’t exactly been humming along, anyway.  The Terps still take it if they can do adequately on offense against what may be the worst defense they face this season while the Eagles sputter in the face of a solid defense. If Maryland’s defense holds Boston College at bay, then this game falls on the Eagles’ defense to have to match, and the next time they get off the field quickly and blow up plays in the backfield all day will be the first. The Terrapins could throw an option wrinkle at the Eagles to further antagonize them, but with Devin Burns injured, this many not be in the cards anymore.

How Boston College Will Win

The Eagles will win if Chase Rettig’s on-field connection with Alex Amidon is able to overcome Maryland’s pass defense, and BC’s offensive line finds a way to stand up to the Terps’ pass rush. Maryland’s run defense is essentially the opposite of what it was last season, so rushing through their front seven 60-something times is not going to be on the menu. Boston College has to stick with what has worked for them this year, which is throwing the ball with Rettig. The Maryland offense and BC defense are statistically about as bad as one another, so if BC finds a way to get the edge there, that could be enough to deliver a win in a relatively low-scoring game.

Bottom Line: Maryland at Boston College

On paper, Maryland is a better team. Of the four major units taking the field on Saturday, Maryland’s defense will be the best by far. Games, however, are not played on paper.  It has been a true struggle for me to pick the Eagles in any game until they show real improvement, given how bad BC’s defense has been. Maryland’s poor offense and continuing injury woes give BC a chance to do something this week. This will probably be a close, low-scoring game. In my best/worst-case scenario previews in August, I had this game going to BC in both. It is for the sake of consistency that I stick with the Eagles here, but I am admittedly not that confident in my selection.  Perhaps about 50% confidence.

STG Outlook: Maryland at Boston College

• Score estimate: Boston College 24, Maryland 21 (BC by 3)
• Will most likely be a low-scoring game; doubtful that either team scores 30

Additional Information
• Boston College is 1-6 for the second-consecutive year
• The Eagles won the last meeting between these two teams, 28-17 in 2011
• Maryland won the last meeting at Alumni Stadium, 24-21 in 2010
• The Eagles have lost 4 ACC games in a row

Evan Habeeb-US PRESSWIRE

Every so often, it becomes necessary and proper for Soaring to Glory to seek the help of others in the blogosphere. Today, 5 Big Questions will be answered by Michael, lead editor of Terrapin Station, Fansided’s Maryland blog. Michael gave us the opposition perspective heading into Saturday’s Maryland-BC game in Massachusetts.

5. Maryland enters this game at 4-3, clearly better than at the last BC/UMD meeting. What would you say is the single biggest improvement the Terps have made from 2011 to 2012?

TS: The single biggest improvement (and perhaps the only one that matters) is that our defense is now much, much better. The Terrapins have a senior-laden unit, with four of last year’s leading tacklers (Hartsfield, Vellano, Drakeford, Franklin) returning to become anchors in their final season. Hartsfield is an absolute menace on the field, and he is involved in almost every play, making it hard for defenses to breath. The transition to a 3-4 defense with Brian Stewart has been seamless and has made Hartsfield, [A.J.] Francis, and Vellano one of the best pass rushes in the NCAA.

Other than that? Confidence.

Evan Habeeb-US PRESSWIRE

There comes a point where you don’t know what to say anymore.

That point has been reached when it comes to the Boston College defense, which, in a span of two years, gone from one of the best defenses in the country to one of the worst.

Coaches, players, bloggers, fans, and anyone else can try to remedy solutions, but the unfortunate truth is that the Eagles have played over half of their FBS schedule for this year and still have not been able to fix their problems. If there is anything resembling good news for this embattled unit, it is that they face a depleted Maryland Terrapins offense this weekend.

First, the Terps. It’s no secret that Maryland has risen to 4-3 so far this season on the backs of their very good defense, but their offense is nothing at all special. In a way, Maryland resembles BC of recent years past with the stout defense and the ineffective offense. The Terps are 116th in total offense (295.29 yards per game) and 97th in points scored per game (21.29). They are also poor on creating first downs with just 15.71 per game (T-113th) and are only slightly better than the Eagles on converting third downs at 33.66% (T-101st).

The quarterback position for the Terrapins has been a matter of great angst this year. Last year’s starter, Danny O’Brien, transferred to Wisconsin. Then, during preseason training camp, new starter CJ Brown tore his ACL and has been forced to miss the 2012 season. Those ACLs are not kind to Maryland players this season, as new new starter Perry Hills just tore his in last week’s loss to North Carolina State. Now, the job will fall to either Caleb Rowe, a freshman, or Devin Burns, a converted wide receiver.

If you’re Maryland, you’re probably thinking that given the very poor offensive ranks your team has accumulated so far, it can’t possibly get much worse, no matter who you throw under center. Indeed, one would think the Terps might stick to the running game more (in much the same way as offensively-inept BC did last year), but that well might be bone-dry as UMD is the only team with a worse rushing offense than BC.

The thing is, they get to face one of the worst run defenses in the country. Boston College went from the #1 rush defense in the nation in 2010 to second-worst (#119) in 2012. The Eagles defensive line has gotten manhandled for the better part of the season and cannot create much of any pressure at all. The linebackers are amassing plenty of tackles, but that’s because the other team is running an obscene number of plays, and they come after the damage has already been done.

To highlight this: Boston College has three players in the Top 50 nationally in tackles, including Nick Clancy at #3, but are dead-last in FBS in tackles for a loss. The Eagles are also in a three-way tie for last in sacks.

Essentially, those tackle totals don’t mean a whole lot, because just about all of them are coming after a gain of yardage and the other team stays on the field too long.

Meanwhile, opponents can throw on the Eagles and do. Opposing teams have a 63.2% completion percentage against BC so far this season, and the Eagles allow 7.25 yards per attempt. One can find far more terrible statistics anywhere else they look, whether in third downs, scoring defense, total defense, or red zone defense. Unfortunately, the only thing the Eagles have been good at this year is staying on the field.

This matchup is a wash because both units are about as bad as the other. Do not be surprised if the Eagles have their best day on defense this season outside of the Maine game. I wouldn’t read much into it, but don’t be surprised if it happens. When you should worry is if Maryland, which was bad already but now has to do quarterbacking by committee, shows up the Eagles defense. Rest assured, if Boston College can’t stop the Terps, they can’t stop anybody.