Through six innings Friday, the Maryland softball team had just three hits. Yet, the Terps had made the most of their limited baserunners, tying the game in the bottom of the sixth at 2-2 and entering the seventh with a chance to walk it off.
Maryland plated runs in the first and sixth innings after leadoff walks. So when first baseman Taylor Wilson was hit by Morgan Ray’s pitch to start the bottom of the seventh, the Terps were afforded another free baserunner and a chance to end the game through the small-ball approach they’d employed throughout the contest.
Pitcher Kiana Carr came in to pinch run for Wilson and immediately advanced to second off a wild pitch with second baseman Regan Kerr at bat.
On Ray’s fifth pitch in the at bat, Kerr slapped the ball to first base. Though Buckeyes first baseman Carley Gaskill got the out at first, her throw to third to try and stop Carr from advancing soared above third baseman Ashley Prange’s head, and Carr sprinted home for the Terps’ 3-2 walk-off win — their first conference victory of the season.
“That’s a big at-bat for a freshman,” coach Julie Wright said. “[Kerr] managed to put a great swing on that slap … and for Kiana Carr, who, mind you, is a pitcher, really thrilled with her instincts and how she stayed with the play and opened her eyes.”
[Read more: Sydney Golden is trying to pave the way for Maryland softball’s turnaround]
Both Maryland pitcher Sydney Golden and Ohio State pitcher Morgan Ray limited the opposing offenses in the two teams’ first matchup of the weekend.
“Offensively, we were grinding out at-bats, digging in and really trying to stick to the game plan against a really good pitcher,” Wright said. “[Golden] pitched a beauty and got herself out of some big jams… her efforts were tremendous.”
Ray allowed a Maryland run in the first inning, but held the Terps (17-15, 1-3 Big Ten) to just two hits through three innings. The senior entered Friday’s game with a 1.67 ERA and 82 strikeouts, good for eighth in the Big Ten. Golden and Ray both finished with three strikeouts apiece, but Ray’s three wild pitches ended up being the deciding factor in the game.
The Buckeyes (18-10, 3-1) took an early 1-0 lead after left fielder Bri Betschel singled to lead off and then advanced to second on a wild pitch from Golden. Second baseman Emily Clark sent Betschel home on a flyout to left field, but consecutive groundouts ended the Buckeyes’ half-inning.
McRae, leading off for the Terps with infielder Taylor Okada still out with an injury, was walked for the first time to get on base. She then advanced to second on a wild pitch from Ray, before scoring on right fielder Amanda Brashear’s sacrifice bunt to even the game.
Betschel once again got home for a Buckeye score in the top of the third, but the offense for both sides slowed down after Ohio State took a 2-1 lead.
[Read more: Despite winless weekend, Maryland softball proved it can be effective against top pitching]
Golden matched Ray’s prowess in the circle, with back-to-back strikeouts in the top of the fourth, and both pitchers had only allowed a combined six hits at that point.
But the Buckeyes threatened in the top of the sixth with two hits, including a double from designated player Kallie Boren that nearly cleared the fence to break the game open. With two runners in scoring position and no outs, though, Golden and the Maryland defense stepped up. Golden worked her way out of the jam with two groundouts and a lineout, setting the Terps up for a chance to equalize in the bottom of the sixth.
“We had big defense in big situations,” Wright said. “Last weekend, in two of those three games, we were one pitch, one hit, one defensive play away [from winning].”
Ray walked left fielder JoJo McRae, who then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Brashear, and to third on a wild pitch. Third baseman Anna Kufta drove a single through the right side to send McRae home and tie the score, 2-2.
In the top of the seventh, the Buckeyes hit a double off Golden, and shortstop Lilli Piper reached first on a Maryland error, but Wilson easily scooped up a ground ball to get the final out and give the Terps a shot at the walk-off win that they capitalized on.
“The moment can get big, so we just wanted to slow it down and breathe,” Wright said. “I’m happy with their work ethic this week and how we’ve been focused… so I feel really good about where we’re going.”
