By Eddie Hobbs
Maryland played against Binghamton for the second time in the Maryland Invitational. Only this game’s outcome was a little bit different than the first game for the Terps. Both teams were able to get hot early, the teams combined for six runs through the first two innings.
In the first inning, Binghamton was able to get two on base with no outs. Maryland pitcher Hannah Dewey was looking to get out of the jam as she got two straight outs. Binghamton’s infielder Kate Richard came up to bat and was able to blast a home run over the mid field wall. Just when it looked like a 3-0 lead for Binghamton, the umpire clarified that one of their players didn’t touch the bag when rounding the bases, which led to the player being called out. The lead was reduced to 2-0.
Maryland got hot in the first inning as well, Juli Strange and Amanda Brashear were able to get on base. Skylynne Ellazar hit a rocket to Binghamton pitcher Rozlyn Price, who couldn’t handle it, the ball ricochet off of her glove to the shortstop. Ellazar hustled down the line to first base and Strange crossed home plate, the Terps cut into the lead and were down 2-1.
In the bottom of the third inning, the Terps were threatening yet again. Kristina Dillard hit a solo home run, her second of the Maryland Invitational. The ball almost shattered the scoreboard. The home run gave Maryland the lead 4-3. The home run caused Binghamton to change pitchers from Price to Makenzie Goluba.
In the fourth inning, Dewey was able to get three quick outs to bring the hot hitting Terps back into the batter’s box. Strange and Brashear were able to get on base quickly to start the inning. Anna Kufta laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance the players to second and third, and Dillard did what she does best, drive in runs. Dillard brought Strange and Brashear all the way home with a single to give the Terps a 6-3 advantage. Brigette Nordberg got a base knock later in the inning to bring home Dillard and give Maryland a 7-3 advantage.
Things looked to be going Maryland’s way, which was until the fifth inning came along. Binghamton was able to load the bases with no outs, and Maryland decided to change pitchers. Hannah Dewey’s day was done, and in came Lauren Graves. Graves couldn’t find the strike zone and three Bearcats crossed home plate, Maryland was still up 7-6. Head Coach Julie Wright took out Graves and inserted Madison Martin. Martin couldn’t hold against the pressure from Binghamton, and let three runs come in to score, Maryland was now down 9-7.
Maryland ended up losing the game 9-7 and lost its first game in the Maryland Invitational. The Terps will have a quick turnaround to face off against James Madison.
