The way this season has gone, it seems as though each passing series carries more importance than the last for the Terrapins softball team. One series, it’s all about continuing momentum established the week before. In the next, it’s about getting it back.
Count this weekend’s matchup with Virginia as the latter.
A three-game sweep last weekend in Atlanta courtesy of Georgia Tech ended any roll the Terps might’ve been on after their doubleheader sweep of George Mason just days before.
When the team hosts the Cavaliers in an ACC duel this weekend, recapturing that elusive momentum will be paramount.
The Terps’ roller-coaster ride has been well documented this season. Their winless ACC record is not pretty – the last-place Terps (20-17, 0-6 ACC) are the only team in the league team without a conference win.
“We have to look past the record and just fight back,” coach Laura Watten said Sunday. “We need to move forward.”
The Terps’ struggles with the Yellow Jackets started with pitching. While her ERA looks no worse for wear, Kendra Knight’s command has deteriorated as the year has progressed, giving teams extra outs and more chances to score runs.
The offense has had its own opportunities to make up for the ace’s control issues, but crunch-time hitting has been hard to come by. The Terps’ .261 team batting average is sixth in the eight-team conference.
Those factors, among others, have contributed to the team’s tailspin after a 10-2 start. The Terps have lost 15 of their past 25 games entering tomorrow’s doubleheader.
This weekend’s clash with Virginia, though, could be an opportunity for the Terps to begin their climb back up the ACC ranks. Though the Cavaliers (20-18, 5-7) have five conference wins, the Terps still hold a better season record.
An 0-6 ACC mark won’t suddenly become respectable in one series. Still, the Terps would benefit from a strong performance in College Park this weekend.
“We need to put ourselves in a good position,” Watten said.
With less than a month remaining in the regular season, this may be the Terps’ best chance to do that. Virginia has struggled in recent contests, limping its way to five losses in its past six games, including an ugly 12-1 defeat against Radford on Wednesday.
One side has to win the series, and that team will leave Sunday with more than a win in hand. The Terps might be down now, but a crucial series victory could change all that.
“We need to stay up, stay positive,” Watten said. “There’s still a lot of games left.”
benscher@umdbk.com
