At the halfway point in the 2021 season, the Buckeyes have been reminded that each of the 44 games in this year's all-Big Ten schedule are ever so meaningful.

Ohio State’s 13-9 record has it positioned fourth in the Big Ten Conference, while its next opponent, Maryland, is ninth with a 10-12 sitting.

These two teams met three weekends ago during the round robin with Iowa in Columbus. The Buckeyes split the two-game mini series with a 5-4 win and 9-3 loss, the latter of which was rather important because head coach Greg Beals kept his team in a huddle in left field for extended time postgame, delivering an important message of motivation.

The following weekend, Ohio State swept then-conference-leading Indiana in four games. This time, the Buckeyes are looking to use the Terrapins as another launching pad of sorts.

“Every game is important and it doesn't matter what their records are,” Beals said Sunday. “I’m not buying records. We got to make sure our guys are ready to beat anybody and everybody on the day we're playing.”

RELATED: Once on cusp of retiring, Patrick Murphy found perfect fit at Ohio State

The Buckeyes must push runners across in order to find success at Maryland. Last weekend, the Buckeyes knocked 26 hits, but left at least eight runners on base in all three games against the Wolverines.

ALSO: 'Silent Assassin:' Mitchell Okuley carries loud bat in 2 HR game

Ohio State did an excellent job of rallying last Friday to overcome two 2-run deficits despite leaving 10 runners on base.

Outfielders freshman Kade Kern and sophomore Mitchell Okuley did an exceptional job reaching base in Ann Arbor, while the former has gotten on in each of his last six games while the latter has reached in 12 of his last 13. To see additional Buckeyes follow Kern and Okuley’s approach, Beals said it’s a matter of executing the game plan.

“You know Oke is going to continue to grow offensively. You see he's got some power numbers, he's got some plate discipline with some walks and I think his consistency at the plate is going to continue to grow,” Beals said Saturday. “So, I think Mitchell Okuley’s a hitter. Kade Kern’s obviously a hitter. We got some guys, those first four guys and then you got the big fella [Conner] Pohl sitting in there in the five-hole behind them. This offense has potential to be tough.”

Additionally, Michigan was able to apply pressure early, scoring in two of the first four innings in all three of last weekend’s ballgames.

Junior right-hander Garrett Burhenn allowed four earned-runs for the first time since his season’s second start March 12, and redshirt-junior lefty Seth Lonsway walked a season-high five Wolverines while also allowing four runs through 4 ⅔ innings last Saturday. Junior righty Jack Neely lasted 2 ⅓ innings Sunday, surrendering a pair of runs.

Buckeyes starting pitchers will have to buckle down on the mound, and Beals said having short memories is key.

“To be successful as a pitcher, you better have a short memory,” Beals said Sunday. “We're not going to dwell on this, we're going to go back to our strengths. We got to pound the strike zone, we got to pound the bottom of the strike zone. We got to not be too fine. Just pound the bottom of the strike zone, force some contact, and let our defense play.”

FEATURE: Working behind scenes, walk-off latest in Zach Dezenzo’s chase to be great

The Terrapins will be coming off of a series loss at first-place Nebraska. Maryland lost a 14-3 decision after winning the middle game 10-7. Since having visited Columbus, Maryland has gone 3-3 in its ballgames, including winning 3-of-4 during a home round robin against Northwestern and Michigan.

Maryland has scored the third-most runs in the Big Ten, powered by 31 home runs, which are tied for third-most in the conference. While swinging for the fences can yield its fruit, it can also backfire. The Terrapins have struck out a conference-most 220 times, but have also walked the fourth-most, so their ability to work counts has been a strength.

The Terrapins have taken advantage of 48 hit batsmen - most in the Big Ten - to swipe 24 bases.

While its offense can be potent, Maryland’s pitching staff can flash similar possibilities. Boasting two of the most dangerous right-handers in redshirt-sophomore Sean Burke and freshman Jason Savacool, the Terrapins pitching staff holds a 5.81 earned-run average, fourth-highest in the Big Ten.

Among starting pitchers, only Burke has an opponent batting average of less than .255. Maryland has missed bats, however, with 202 punch outs and 87 free passes to sit third- and fourth-most, respectively.

Maryland left Ohio State with a sour taste in its mouth several weeks ago, and the Buckeyes have a feeling akin to that after last weekend’s series loss against the Wolverines.

“I would say we’re gonna be a more focused, intentional team,” graduate outfielder Scottie Seymour said Sunday. “I don’t know if angry is the word. Obviously, you hate losing to your rival. If we have to take it out on Maryland, we’ll take it out on Maryland. But I think focused on the task at hand is more of the word I would describe it as.”

First pitch will be thrown Friday at 6:30 p.m. and streamed on BTN+.