Maryland softball was having its best performance of the series against No. 7 UCLA through four innings on Sunday. The Terps scored an early run on star freshman Addisen Fisher while holding the Bruins to just two runs of their own.

Looking to eliminate any offensive chances, Maryland made the move from typical closing pitcher Keira Bucher to their top starter, Bri Godfrey, in the fifth inning.

UCLA loaded the bases against Godfrey and substituted in Sofia Mujica, a freshman with four home runs and 14 hits this season.

Mujica turned on the first pitch, blasting the ball well over the center field fence. Maryland continued to fall apart from there, allowing another three runs in its 10-1 mercy rule loss to UCLA.

“I thought they were hitting [Bucher] hard, so making a switch there to one of our top pitchers I thought was a good move at the time,” coach Lauren Karn said. “They were just ready to capitalize.”

[Maryland softball musters just 3 hits in 9-0 loss to UCLA]

The Terps’ (15-18, 3-6 Big Ten) fifth inning from hell began with a messy play review call. UCLA junior Jordan Woolery attempted stealing third before a hit sent her home. Karn called to review for an early jump, but with video cameras down, there was no evidence to overturn the call.

“We didn’t have an opportunity to get that out there, which would have made a difference in that inning,” Karn said.

An error and a second home run gave the Bruins (32-5, 7-1 Big Ten) the 10-1 lead they needed.

Bucher got an unusual start for Maryland. Usually a closer, the junior had just two previous starts this season and finished out the first two games against the Bruins. She went four innings in the circle, allowing four hits, with three coming in the first.

Saturday’s game was scoreless until the sixth inning. On Sunday, UCLA got ahead just two batters in. Three straight doubles from Jessica Clements, Savannah Pola and Woolery scored two early for the Bruins.

[Maryland softball overcomes early 4-run deficit, defeats Delaware, 5-4]

Two of UCLA’s runs came after missed pop flies. Caitlyn Cornwell overran the first shot of the game, while Julia Shearer got a late start on another one and missed it in the fifth. Both runners scored on doubles from the following hitters.

UCLA’s top three pitchers all have top 15 ERAs in the Big Ten. After Kaitlyn Terry and Taylor Tinsley started Friday and Saturday, the Bruins boldly used their third starter, Fisher, to close out the 7th inning of game two.

Karn said getting that early look would be “huge” for her team. Fisher, a freshman, entered Sunday with just one loss and a 2.22 ERA.

The Terps ended up with just three hits, and Fisher struck out five batters. Maryland’s lone run of the game — only its second of the series — came in the second inning. After notching just two hits yesterday, catcher Sam Bean and shortstop Sammi Woods hit doubles in the second to score.

“It all just kind of came to a head there at the top of the fifth,” Karn said.