Terps Softball Wins First B1G Home Series in Walk-Off Fashion

By Katie Christ

The Maryland Terrapins softball team came from behind Friday night to win their first ever Big Ten home game with a walk-off home run by second baseman Corey Schwartz in College Park, Md.

Corey Schwartz lifts the Terps to victory in walk-off fashion. (Courtesy of UMTerps.com)
Corey Schwartz lifts the Terps to victory in walk-off fashion. (Courtesy of UMTerps.com)

Defensive struggles in the first five innings had the Terps trailing the Buckeyes 10-3. Shortstop Kylie Datil committed two errors in the top of the fourth inning and pitchers Brenna Nation and Jaymi Bautista-Geiger struggled in the top of the fifth. Starting pitcher Kaitlyn Schmeiser had a rocky start but came back in the game in the fifth inning, ending the inning with her first of four strikeouts of the night.

Despite a seven run deficit going into the bottom of the sixth, the Terps remained focused and made a comeback. To begin the inning right fielder Lindsey Schmeiser, center fielder Hannah Dewey and Schwartz all drew walks, loading the bases for left fielder Erin Pronobis. Pronobis hit a double to center field, scoring Lindsey Schmeiser and Dewey. Kaitlyn Schmeiser then hit a double, scoring Schwartz and Pronobis.

In the top of the seventh inning, Kaitlyn Schmeiser struck out the side, setting the stage for the Terps’ comeback in the bottom of the seventh.

Third baseman Juli Strange started off the bottom of the seventh with a walk. Lindsey Schmeiser then hit her second double of the day, scoring Strange. Dewey then followed up with another double, scoring Lindsey Schmeiser. With Dewey on second and two runs needed to win the game, it was up to Schwartz to drive home the victory. She delivered, sending a home run to center field and winning the game for the Terps.