Last season, it took Maryland softball 47 games to record its 11th win. The Terps also went the entire season without a run-rule victory.
On Saturday afternoon against Penn State, though, the Terps matched their win total from last season and earned their first run-rule win since April 2016. They beat the Nittany Lions, 8-0, in five innings, after falling to Penn State in the first game of the doubleheader.
In game one, the Nittany Lions dominated the Terps, racking up eleven hits against starter Ryan Denhart. All nine Penn State starters notched a hit.
Penn State jumped in front with a five-run first inning in its eventual 8-3 victory. Nittany Lions starter Jessica Cummings allowed only five hits while striking out seven.
In game two, though, the Terps (11-20, 1-1 Big Ten) dominated in all phases. Maryland churned out 10 hits, while pitcher Sydney Golden allowed just two hits and one walk in five innings.
Catcher Anna Kufta led the attack, going 3-for-3 with two doubles and two RBIs. Infielders Skylynne Ellazar and Mikayla Werahiko each added two hits and an RBI.
A key for the Terps was bringing baserunners in, a facet in which they have struggled. Coach Julie Wright’s squad went 5-for-12 with runners in scoring position.
The Terps put up two four-run innings. Maryland, which will try to open Big Ten play with a series win Sunday, scored seven of its runs with two outs.
