Laura Watten
The Terrapins softball team split the first two of a three-game series against Florida State on Saturday, 5-4 and 13-1.
The Terps (17-17, 4-1 ACC) got off to a fast start against the Seminoles (27-12, 6-2 ACC) in the first game. Infielder Lindsey Schmeiser hit a solo home run over the left field fence to give the team the lead. However, her error in the next inning helped the Seminoles tie the game and they seemed to take control from there.
Pitcher Monica Perry only allowed one more hit in her next five innings in the circle, as the Terps couldn’t make solid enough contact off her fastballs to turn them into hits. On the offensive end, the Seminoles scored three runs over the fourth and fifth give them a 4-1 lead.
The Terps took the win with a four-run rally in the bottom of the seventh. The team loaded the bases, and Seminoles pitcher Lacey Waldrop gave up a pair of walks to make it 4-3. Jessica Nori replaced Waldrop in the circle, but her passed ball scored two runs to give the Terps the first win of the day.
The Seminoles didn’t make the same mistakes in the second game. A three-run home run from catcher Celeste Gomez powered a nine-run third inning, and though the Terps loaded the bases in the bottom half, they were only able to tally one run in response. It would be the only run they would score, and the Seminoles added on four more to defeat the Terps in five innings.
The team did not have starting infielder Mandy Gardner and relief pitcher Brenna Nation available in either game due to injury and illness, respectively. The Terps will try and bounce back from the second game rout in the final game of the series Sunday afternoon.
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