By Eddie Hobbs
In the second game of Maryland’s back to back, the Terps took on Buffalo and were able to overpower the Bison in a 6-3 victory. The first few innings were quiet for Buffalo thanks to Hannah Dewey who was dealing through the first three innings. Maryland got going in the second inning; with the bases loaded Dewey stepped up to the plate. Buffalo’s pitcher Ally Power winded up and delivered, Buffalo’s catcher Jessica Goldyn couldn’t keep a handle on the ball, and Skylynne Ellazar was able to score on the passed ball, putting the Terps up 1-0.
In the third inning, Amanda Brashear dropped a blooper into left field. Brashear was able to advance to second because of an error made by the Bison left fielder. Anna Kufta followed up with a single to right field and Brashear hustled to home base to bring the lead to 2-0. Kufta had two doubles in the game and talked about her performance as the rain started to come down in College Park.
“Just staying calm and seeing the ball, having a plan… and just doing my job when I come up to bat,” Kufta said.
In the fifth inning Kufta was able to reach first base from a walk, and Kristina Dillard laid down a sacrifice bunt, Dillard gave it all she had to reach first which created a throwing error from Buffalo’s catcher Goldyn. Kufta was able to round the bases and reach home to extend the lead to 4-1.
In the top of the sixth inning, Dewey gave up a double to Bison infielder Bobbi Langlois, and Coach Julie Wright decided that was it for Dewey, and handed the ball over to Madison Martin. Dewey gave up four hits in the game and performed well for the Terps.
Maryland would eventually extend its lead to 6-2, Juli Strange and Anna Kufta were able to get base hits in the bottom of the sixth inning to put the game out of reach. Martin would surrender two hits in two innings pitched and Maryland won the game 6-3. The Terps swept the double header, and something tells me that some home cooking was involved, and Coach Wright agreed.
“[We’ve had] consistency like in all parts of the game, communication on the field, great energy out there, great energy in here… I would say a ‘so what’ attitude,” Wright said.
The Terps look to close out the Maryland Invitational strong as they take on Binghamton and James Madison on Sunday March 19th.
