For the second straight game against Penn State, the Maryland softball team fell behind early.
They couldn’t mount a comeback either, suffering a 4-0 loss to the Nittany Lions on Saturday.
After Maryland trailed 5-1 after three frames Friday night in its 9-6 loss the team trailed 4-0 early in Saturday’s contest.
Utility player Hannah Dewey, who started in the pitching circle, was unable to stifle the Nittany Lions offense. She allowed four runs and nine hits in 3.2 innings.
The Terps turned to pitcher Madison Martin to prevent their 4-0 deficit from growing. Martin gave up three home runs Friday night, but was much improved on Saturday. She pitched 2.1 innings without allowing a run to keep the Terps within striking distance.
But Maryland’s offense could not get going against a pair of underclassmen pitchers. Sophomore Jessica Cummings started and went four innings, and freshman Madison Seifert completed the shutout with three more unblemished innings in the circle.
Still, the Terps had opportunities to score. In the third, infielder Emily Libero hit a leadoff double. But Maryland failed to drive her in, as Cummings retired three straight hitters to end the threat.
Then, in the fifth, the Terps could not score after putting two on with no outs.
While there were bright spots – catcher Kristina Dillard continued her hot play at the plate with a 2-for-3 day and infielder Skylynne Ellazar had her first hit since returning from injury – it was a disappointing day the plate for the Terps. The shutout loss was their fourth of the season.
Maryland will attempt to win its first game of the weekend on Sunday in the series finale.
