After the Terrapins softball team opened its season 2-3 in the Kajikawa Classic, first-year coach Julie Wright said her squad remains a work in progress.
But she knows she can rely on a pair of senior leaders to help guide the program forward.
“We are anchored by two veterans up the middle,” Wright said.
Shortstop Lindsey Schmeiser and second baseman Corey Schwartz give the Terps above-average offensive production from the middle infield positions.
Schmeiser hit .369, led the Big Ten in doubles and stole seven bases last year, while Schwartz blasted a team-high 15 home runs and 45 RBIs.
After belting two home runs against San Diego this weekend, Schmeiser is now one homer shy of the program record (30), set by Shannon Bustillos last season. Schmeiser finished the tournament 6-for-17 with six RBIs.
Schwartz, meanwhile, went 5-for-13 with four RBIs to continue the middle-of-the-order production she showcased last season. The second baseman said confidence and an in-the-moment mentality have helped her be successful.
“If I do fail it’s, you know, so what? Next pitch,” Schwartz said.
While the duo has thrived at the plate, Wright also expects them to shine the field.
“I expect both to have phenomenal defensive seasons,” Wright said. “Lindsey will be back home at shortstop after working hard to rehab an injury and I am really excited to watch her get better and better as the season progresses.”
Another infield piece could be emerging to complement the pair of seniors, too.
Skylynne Ellazar did not expect to start at third base this season and said she had never played a corner infield position in her life. But the natural shortstop, who started only eight games last year, was thrust into starting at third base after Juli Strange tore her ACL in the offseason.
“The transition has been rough but fun,” the sophomore said.
Ellazar said Strange, a redshirt junior, took her under her wing to help ease the move to a new position.
The Kahului, Hawaii, native shined at the plate over the weekend. She went 7-for-16 with two doubles and hit her first college home run. On Friday, she went 3-for-3 in a 9-4 win over Boise State.
Wright said Ellazar is “going to be very exciting to watch for our fans.”
With a middle infield that ranks near the top of the Big Ten, the Terps have a solid core to build around.
And if Ellazar can continue her hot start and settle in at third base, Wright’s team, led by its infield, will be well-equipped to perform at the level she said she wanted them to reach by the end of the season.
