Maryland softball infielder Skylynne Ellazar led the team last year in seven hitting categories, including her .399 batting average and .574 slugging percentage. Before this season, she was named one of fastpitchnews.com’s “10 NCAA Softball Juniors to Watch in 2017.”

Ellazar’s hitting success has continued this season, aside from a 1-for-15 performance at the Mardi Gras Classic in late February. She had four hits in 14 at bats and added two RBIs at the Highlander Classic this past weekend.

“She’s using her hands better to hit, and she’s swinging at her pitches,” coach Julie Wright said. “She has a smaller hitting zone than most hitters, but typically when she gets pitches in that zone she hits well, she punishes.”

[Read more: Maryland softball concluded the Highlander Classic with a 6-2 loss to Weber State]

Wright said Ellazar struggled in the Mardi Gras Classic when she chased pitches outside of her zone, but the second-year coach held off from giving the junior advice.

“Sky’s a professional,” Wright said. “She understands that’s how the game goes. Of course, she was not happy with her performance in that tournament, and she worked all week to get back into a little grove. But that’s hitting. Hitting is failure, so there’s going to be weekends where you’re not just as hot as another weekend.”

On Friday, Ellazar hit two RBI doubles in losses to Tennessee Martin and Iona. Against Weber State in the series finale Sunday, she reached base on an error, allowing outfielder Amanda Brashear to score in the eventual 6-2 defeat.

Wright said Ellazar puts herself under excessive pressure. Sometimes, Wright said her players worry about underperforming, but that hasn’t been the case with Ellazar.

Wright said Ellazar’s job as the No. 4 hitter is to drive in runs, and she’s tied for third on the team in RBIs. She’s also third in hits and second in runs scored.

In the field, Ellazar has struggled with errors at shortstop. As a sophomore, she made 15 errors in 49 games. Through 23 games this year, she has had 12 miscues.

“She’s constantly working on footwork and makes sure she gets the ball out front and makes a good throw,” Wright said. “She’s slowing getting to where she’s pretty comfortable being the shortstop at Maryland.”

Ellazar, a second baseman by nature, filled in at shortstop last season when former infielder Lindsey Schmeiser missed almost a month with nerve damage in her back. Ellazar played 15 games there.

The longer throw from shortstop hasn’t hindered Ellazar, who also played 31 games at third base last year. But Wright said the position requires players to throw from unique angles and arms slots, which may results in errant tosses. Of her five errors at the Highlander Classic, three of them were throwing errors.

Still, Wright expects Ellazar to improve at that aspect as the season progresses.

“It’s a different spot to play, so she’s really doing some great stuff and really starting to figure it out,” Wright said. “She may hit her stride soon with that.”