Maryland Softball could not find any room to maneuver on offense, facing No. 21 Washington. The Terps recorded just four hits in 24 at-bats, contributing their second poor offensive performance in as many games against the Huskies.
Washington entered the series against Maryland on a nine-game winning streak, during which it averaged over 10 runs per game. But Saturday was a pitcher’s duel as both offenses struggled to plate runs.
The Huskies mustered only one run, but their shutout performance handed Maryland a 1-0 loss at Husky Softball Stadium.
Huskies pitcher Morgan Reimer delivered only 2 strikeouts but only 3 hits in her complete game start. Maryland failed to find grass with its contact.
The Terps’ offensive struggles were in part due to Washington’s fantastic defense, highlighted by Jade Bubke’s diving catch. The Huskies made plays all day behind their pitcher, securing 18 putouts.
On the other side, Maryland starter Caitlin Olensky did a fantastic job staying calm under pressure, delivering pitches that kept home plate clean. Although Washington managed to secure 5 hits in her 4.0 innings pitched, including an opportunity with a runner on third base in the first inning, they did not score a run against her.
Catcher Sammi Woods’ strong defense behind the plate contributed to Olensky’s strong performance. The freshman caught multiple fouls behind the plate, making up for some allowed bunts earlier in the game.
Elisea Wiegand took over for Olensky in the bottom of the fifth. Wiegand found herself facing loaded bases after giving up two singles and a walk, and she gave up one run to a sac fly before getting out of the inning.
Unfortunately for Maryland, that singular run would be enough to get Washington out of the game, as Maryland could not even secure a hit after the fifth inning.
Maryland’s substitution of Olensky was questionable. Although she had conceded a few hits, she had not seen a tough situation since the first inning, where one runner managed to make it to third base with two out.
Olensky’s last few appearances have been solid. She gave up 2 runs on Tuesday, facing Delaware, but she only allowed one run in her appearances against Rutgers and Fairfield.
Wiegand’s last appearance was not impressive. She gave up three runs to open Maryland’s last game against Rutgers, before Aubrey Wurst replaced her with two outs remaining in the first inning.
In their first matchup, pitchers Aubrey Wurst and Keira Bucher could not figure out Washington’s batters.
Wurst, who started the game, gave up 4 runs in 1.2 innings. That performance contrasts with last weekend against Rutgers, when Wurst allowed only 2 runs across multiple appearances for the Terps.
Bucher’s performance was more in line with the previous series’ performance. She got lit up in the final game of the Rutgers series and did not look any better against the Huskies. She gave up eight runs in only 2.1 innings, easily her worst performance of the season.
Maryland lost the game 12-2, putting up a similar offensive performance to Saturday’s game, but the poor pitching meant that the offense had nowhere to hide, as they went down to the run-rule.
