Maryland softball’s bats had an explosive 10 days heading into Friday’s game — combining for 30 runs and 28 hits between a pair of games against Maryland Eastern Shore and Delaware.
Matched against the highest ERA in the Big Ten, the Terps had the potential to keep that streak going against Penn State. But Maryland couldn’t find a hit against Mady Volpe until the third inning and tallied just three in a 10-2, six inning loss to Penn State at home.
The Terps’ 279 hits this season ranked second-to-last across the conference. Their best hitter, Sydney Lewis, called the series matchup against Penn State “very winnable” for her squad. But Maryland (17-25, 3-14 Big Ten) lacked help from the hitter, who struck out twice against Volpe. The junior is one of just two Terps still batting at .300 or above.
Maryland’s first run was assisted by two walks in the first from Volpe, who leads the Big Ten in walks. But the senior paired that with five strikeouts on the Terps through five innings.
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“She did a really nice job at keeping the ball low, commanding the zone low and the umpire was calling strikes low in the zone,” coach Lauren Karn said. “It was a good mashup for her and we just weren’t adjusting on that pitch.”
Shortstop Sammi Woods was the only Terp to find consistent contact on Volpe, tallying two of the hits. The junior put up the knocked her third home run of the season over left field in the third inning to break the Terps’ scoring drought.
Left-hander Julia Shearer got the third hit of the game. But Volpe, the sophomore’s former high school teammate, turned a double play on the sophomore at first base.
Shearer also got the start against Penn State (21-24, 7-10 Big Ten) for Maryland’s pitching squad. The Terps’ rotation ERA is only three spots higher than the Nittany Lions.
The sophomore tossed four innings — allowing five hits and four earned runs, including a homer. Maryland used three different pitchers in an attempt to slow the Nittany Lions down.
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Volpe is allowing 6.93 earned runs a game in the circle this season, but the Terps only managed to cross home plate twice. No matter who Maryland is facing in the circle, its offense has consistently been outmatched by the opponent.
The hitting woes stem from a lack of power. The Terps are slugging .398 compared to their opponents’ .438 average. Eight of Penn State’s nine hits were multi-base shots.
The Terps’ best chance to score came with bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth, already down an out in mercy rule territory. Catcher Sam Bean flied out to shallow center field and the Nittany Lions picked off center fielder Mazie MacFarlane at home, ending the matchup.
Despite the loss, Karn surprisingly said she was pleased with her team’s production at the end and the quality of their at bats against Volpe.
“I mean we’re in that game right there at the end,” Karn said. “I think if we take those things into tomorrow, we pitch better, we play better defense, I think the score is going to look different.”
