The Maryland softball team knew it wouldn’t have many opportunities to score against Minnesota ace pitcher Sara Groenewegen on Friday night.
Groenewegen leads the Big Ten with 260 strikeouts and ranks third with a 1.91 ERA.
So when outfielder Kylie Datil walked and outfielder Destiney Henderson reached via error in the top of the second inning, the Terps wanted to capitalize. But after a long at-bat two batters later, infielder Corey Schwartz grounded out to third base to end the frame.
The Terps, who were without outfielder Sarah Calta and infielder Skylynne Ellazar due to injury, did not put another runner on base against Groenwegen, who pitched a no-hitter. The Terps struck out 10 times in the contest, falling 10-0 in five innings in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
This week in practice, coach Julie Wright said the Golden Gophers were the hardest throwing pitching staff the Terps would face all season. Though Groenwegen featured a blazing fastball, her off-speed pitches also baffled the Terps throughout the contest.
In the first inning, catcher Kristina Dillard stood in the box with two strikes and committed early to the pitch. While she appeared expect a fast ball, she instead lunged early at a changeup and struck out.
Two frames later, she stood and watched a changeup float by for a called third strike.
While the Terps offense floundered, Minnesota’s found success against pitcher Brenna Nation. The Golden Gophers collected two three-run blasts and three doubles. Nation surrendered ten runs (nine earned) in four innings of work.
She gave up six runs in the bottom of the fourth, setting up Maryland’s fourth straight defeat via the slaughter rule and ninth straight overall loss.
The Terps will try to end their skid tomorrow in the second game of the series at 2 p.m.
