Maryland softball didn’t intend to have a number one starter this season. The plan was for the young rotation to divide the work in the circle and allow each pitcher to showcase themself.
So far, that plan isn’t working. The Terps have surrendered the most runs in the Big Ten, are tied for the second-most home runs allowed and hold the worst earned run average in the conference through 10 games.
Coach Lauren Karn, a former collegiate pitcher herself, recognizes the pressure her new rotation faces.
“Some of these moments are getting really big for them, especially because all of our pitchers are relatively young in experience,” Karn said.
The Terps opened the season with five games against ranked opponents, including two against No. 1 Texas. But Maryland could not find a pitcher who consistently delivered against top teams.
Maryland’s pitching rotation revolves around junior Bri Godfrey, sophomore Julia Shearer and freshman Aubrey Wurst. Godfrey, the most experienced of the three, has appeared in a team-high 28 ⅓ innings and is holding batters to a .239 average.
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Shearer and Wurst have pitched in 13 ⅔ and 15 ⅔ innings, respectively, and struggled with inconsistency. Both threw complete games in Terps wins, including Shearer’s upset over No. 21 Cal. Each also holds run averages of more than eight as their playing time has increased.
Opponents average .302 batting against the Terps. Maryland’s 74 hits allowed is tied for the third-most in the conference, with 12 of them home runs. The team currently holds a 7.35 ERA.
Karn is returning to the basics amid the struggles to focus on her pitchers’ mechanics. They spent this week perfecting foot placement on the mound, weight distribution and different release points.
By working on mechanics, Karn hopes the players’ correct form feels natural in high-pressure moments so they can focus on pitches.
“I think when we get into some of these big games, we start to overthrow, and we think we need to throw harder,” Karn said. “But in reality, we need to hit good spots and spin the ball.”
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The Terps’ hitting has compensated for the pitching miscues. The team’s 67 hits tie for tenth-best in the Big Ten. Along with returning players Mazie MacFarlane and Sydney Lewis, sophomore transfer Mariah Penta hopes to be a new weapon in the Terps’ lineup.
“My goal is to just hit balls hard because that’s the name of the game,” Penta said. “You hit the ball hard, and it gives the defense less time to react.”
As the pitching trio works through the early troubles, they’re building a strong bond while supporting each other. Karn said they’ve also stayed mentally strong when not in the circle, pressed up against the fence and ready to go if needed.
“When we’re facing some of the best hitters in the country, our pitchers are doing a really good job at staying as composed as possible,” Karn said. “Being able to do that this early in the season … I really do think it’s going to pay off in Big Ten play.”
