The Terrapins softball team had won seven of its first 30 games entering its series with Nebraska this past weekend, and its lone returning outfield starter had been struggling for much of the season, too.
Outfielder Kylie Datil entered Friday’s game against the Cornhuskers batting .268. She had yet to hit a home run after hitting five a year ago in her sophomore campaign.
But as the Terps continued to struggle throughout the series — Sunday’s 26-4 loss marked the largest margin of defeat in program history — Datil provided a bright spot at the plate, going 3-for-8 with a double, home run and two RBIs. She also made a diving catch from center field Sunday.
Tuesday, Datil will try to help the Terps overcome another subpar weekend performance and put forth a solid effort in their doubleheader against Saint Francis.
“[Datil] is a great player,” coach Julie Wright said. “I needed to see that player this weekend because she’s struggled some to this point.”
Before the series opener, the first-year coach pulled Datil aside. Wright challenged the Murrieta, California, native to push herself.
Datil responded, starting with a 1-for-3 performance at the plate in the Terps’ 7-4 win Friday. She added two more extra-base hits over the next two games.
Plus, Datil showed the type of aggressiveness on the base paths that Wright has repeatedly asked of the team. She scored from second base on a single up the middle Friday, beating the throw to the plate and sliding past the tag of Cornhuskers catcher Bri Cassidy.
“She played hard the entire weekend,” Wright said. “She responded. I’m so proud of her.”
While Datil was frustrated by the team’s putrid display Sunday, she felt good about her personal strides, which she attributed to an increased focus at the plate. And though the Terps were demolished in two of their three weekend games, Datil did not let herself get down. The large deficit actually allowed her to step up to the plate with a more relaxed approach.
So with the Terps trailing 21-2 on Sunday, Datil launched a two-run blast to right field.
“When a team comes in and scores that many runs and you’re up to bat, you have nothing to lose,” Datil said. “You should go into the box wanting to do the best you can do … because that’s all you can do at that point.”
Datil, who was a freshman two years ago when the team finished 11-35, said the Terps (8-25) must focus on finishing the season strong rather than lamenting their disappointing record. That starts with their nonconference doubleheader against the Red Flash (21-14) on Tuesday.
“We have two games, 14 innings, and that’s all we should be focused on now,” Datil said. “This weekend is over with … so Tuesday is our main goal.”
