By Eddie Hobbs

After the game on Friday the 17th got cancelled against Buffalo, the Terps were looking for a team to play against to make up for it. St. John’s schedule matched up with Maryland’s and they were both able to face off on a cloudy Monday in College Park.

Madison Martin pitched for the Terps after the loss to James Madison a day before. Martin forgot all about her tough outing against the Dukes and limited St. John’s to one hit through seven innings. Martin talked about the win after the game.

“It’s just good to get a win, I mean when we only have seven wins on the season, it feels good just to win no matter what.” Martin said. “I feel good, we’re basically prime season right now, Big Ten is next week, so it’ll be good to get some recovery this week.”

Maryland’s favorite inning is the first, as they have scored 26 times in the frame this year. Today was no different, the Terps jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning. Juli Strange was able to start the game on a good note for Maryland, as she hit a single up the middle, right past the pitcher and shortstop. A few batters later Anna Kufta walked, and Kristina Dillard was able to move the runners to second and third with a groundout. Skylynne Ellazar hit a rocket to right field and drove in the runners and ended up at third base, the Terps took the 2-0 lead. Hannah Dewey hit a ball past the second baseman and brought Ellazar home, and it was 3-0 Maryland just like that.

Ellazar has been on fire recently, as she is now batting .341 on the year, and Head Coach Julie Wright agreed. Coach Wright gave some insight on how Sky has prepared in recent games.

“She’s been making some really good adjustments in practice, and I felt like she’s inched closer and closer to where we need her to be,” Wright said. “And it was this week in practice that I thought OK, were back to form, and she showed you that… She’s starting to crush a little bit better.”

Maryland wouldn’t need any more run support as Madison Martin was on absolute fire throughout the game. The Terps only committed one error which was in the seventh inning. Anna Kufta couldn’t get a handle as the ball as it took a tough bounce. Martin talked about the great defense today.

“They’re great, they really trusted themselves today, and that’s what we’ve really been preaching,” Martin said. “You’ve just got to trust your work… They really just slowed down and played their game, and just let the ball come to them.”

Maryland is starting Big Ten play next week as the Terps will host Ohio State on Friday March 24 at 6 p.m.