Maryland softball explodes in sixth inning, wins series over Illinois
- La Voz Latina
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Written by: Michael Hromalik
A short delay pushed back the original noon start time for Maryland softball's final regular-season home game, but as the rain cleared, it was all business for the Terrapins.
The game started with a similar story to Saturday’s, in that Illinois had two runners on base, threatening to take an early lead. But again, the Terrapins, led by starting pitcher Aubrey Wurst, held the Illini scoreless.
In the bottom half of the first inning, the Terrapins took advantage of their opportunities, scoring three runs via a two-run RBI double by third baseman Matti Benson and an RBI single by senior second baseman Caroline Fox.
Illinois responded in the second inning with a runner scoring from second via a fielding error by the Maryland defense. That would be all the Illini would get, however, as they would collect only one more hit and leave 12 runners on base from the end of the second to the seventh inning.
“We pitched really well, we got out of jams, we played really good defense,” said head coach Lauren Karn.
Things quieted down for the Terrapin offense after the three-run first inning, but the pitching was able to limit the Illinois offense for the entirety of the game. Wurst and relievers Elisea Wiegand and Keira Bucher combined to allow 1 run on 4 hits and strike out 7.
When the sixth came around, the Terrapins were looking to expand on their two-run lead and not leave Illinois with a chance to make a comeback, a feat the Illini accomplished on Saturday. This time, the Terrapins caught fire, scoring five runs on RBIs by Bailey Murphy, Benson, and Lauren Caye.
“We were able to string a lot of hits together and put pressure on their defense,” said Karn.
With the lead at 8-1, and with two outs already in the seventh inning Karn made the decision to put Bucher in to record the final out. Bucher got the job finished, striking out Taylor Porter to complete the win, and secure the series.
“I think we played today like I think we can play,” Karn said. “You want to be playing your best ball at the end of the season, and I do feel like we’re doing that.”
The win made the postgame festivities all the more sweet, as six seniors, Gracelyn Solarz, Bri Godfrey, Sammi Woods, Fox, Caye, and Bucher, were all honored on the field with their families.
Woods, who collected two hits in Sunday’s win, has spent all four years at Maryland and reflected on her time in the softball program after the game.
“Maryland has given me so many resources, so many friends,” Woods said, “My biggest goal was to just create a welcoming environment and help build the culture that coach Lauren and I have tried to build.”
“[The seniors'] loyalty has been extremely important,” coach Karn said. In her third year at the helm, she also talked about the team coming together towards the end of the season, both on and off the field, and the impact it will have on the program in the future.
“They’ll feel like they’re still a part of this, and they’re connected to the program in a positive way.”
The Terrapins move to 17-27 and 3-18 in Big Ten play. They finish the regular season on the road with trips to Delaware and Michigan State.
Comments