After scoring only once through the first three games of the Maryland Invitational, Maryland softball’s offense showed early signs of life in its first game Saturday but couldn’t sustain the attack, losing 6-2 against Utah. The Terps’ bats sustained success later in the afternoon, however, beating Yale, 4-2.
The Terps scored two runs on four hits in the first three innings against Utah but mustered just one hit the rest of the game.
Utah ace Katie Donovan dominated Maryland for the second time this week. On Thursday, Donovan allowed only one run and struck out eight against the Terps in a Utes victory. On Saturday, she punched out 10 en route to her eighth win of the season.
Maryland took the lead in the third. With the score tied at one, infielder Skylynne Ellazar led off the inning with a double and was moved over by a sacrifice bunt. Infielder Brigette Nordberg singled to center to drive her in.
Utah responded in the fourth inning with a game-tying RBI single by infielder BreOnna Castaneda. The Utes took the lead for good the next inning on a two-out RBI double by infielder Heather Bowen.
Maryland starter Sydney Golden could not solve Utah’s five-six hitter combo of outfielder Hailey Hilburn and Castaneda. The two combined to outscore the Terps on their own, going 5-for-6 with three RBIs.
“They’ve been quiet this year, but that’s a good offense,” coach Julie Wright said, “They got to the third time around against Sydney [Golden] and figured out what to do with her drop ball.”
Maryland trailed game two before recording an out. Two walks, a double-steal and a wild pitch brought in a run to give Yale the lead in the first. Starter Lauren Graves exited in the opening frame following her inability to find the strike zone. It was second time this year Graves has left a start without recording an out, as she did it Feb. 24 against Florida.
With the score tied at two in the fourth inning, Maryland appeared to catch a break on a bizarre play. A double-steal seemed to end with both baserunners being tagged out on third base to end the inning. Instead, the runners were placed on second and third with one out. The Terps capitalized when an infield single by outfielder JoJo McRae brought both runners around to take the lead.
“Sometimes I’ll drop really quiet and send the runner hoping to catch the defense off-guard. [Outfielder] Kassidy [Cross] read me well and did a great job.” Wright said. “Sometimes the softball gods just bless you.”
The Terps had their best offensive game of the weekend against the Bulldogs, scoring four runs on eight hits. More importantly, the Terps went 4-for-11 with runners on base and 3-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
“We hit early on, but we’ve got to finish,” Wright said. “With the growth of the young hitters, we’ve got to learn how to keep pressure on.”
