Maryland softball has only one win in conference play this season. 

On Sunday’s series finale against No. 18 Oregon, it was the same result. 

Even though the stands were packed and the stadium was full of energy, the Terps ultimately fell 8-2, allowing Oregon to secure the series sweep. 

After an 11-0 run-rule loss on Friday and a 4-3 extra-inning defeat on Saturday, the Terps entered Sunday hopeful. Saturday’s narrow loss showed Maryland’s ability to compete with one of the Big Ten’s top teams.

Sunday wasn’t that way. 

Oregon got on the board early with a sac-fly at the top of the first to take a quick lead. However, Maryland showed signs they were ready to respond. 

Pitcher Elisea Wiegand was sharp in the circle, not allowing the Ducks any hits in the first two innings. She also escaped a bases-loaded jam in the fourth, keeping Maryland within reach. Her ability to work through pressure situations early helped keep the game out of Oregon’s hands from the start.

First baseman Mariah Penta led the way offensively, recording Maryland’s first hit in the bottom of the first. She stayed consistent at the plate throughout the game, finishing the game with three hits later on. 

The game shifted in the fifth inning. After Maryland had managed to limit runs, the Ducks launched a grand slam that stretched a five-run lead. The swing changed the tone of the game and the Terps were forced to respond quickly.

In the bottom half of the inning, Maryland fought back. Caroline Fox doubled to start, and Sage Rodmyre followed to put runners on the corners. With two outs, Penta delivered again and drove in two runs with a single that brought the momentum in the dugout and the crowd back up. 

That energy was noticeable throughout the stadium. “It’s awesome, and it gives us energy,” head coach Lauren Karn said. “We can hear the fans behind us… and we feed off of that energy.”

However, Oregon responded once again. In the sixth inning, a three-run homer put the game out of reach. From there, the Ducks’ pitching prevented Maryland from coming back. 

Oregon’s ability to answer immediately after the Terps’ rally proved to be the defining difference. 

“Against an offense like this, you’re only going to be able to work your way out of those jams so many times,” Karn said. She also noted that once Maryland’s pitchers settled in, they were able to generate better outs.

Even with the loss, there were signs of progress from Maryland. 

“The last two days, we’re playing really close to the best softball we can play,” Karn said. “If we can take that into the next two weekends… we really try to finish this season as strong as we can.”

Now 14-26 overall and 1-17 in Big Ten play, Maryland will look to build off those improvements. The Terps continue their homestand on Wednesday against Howard, aiming to get a win to carry momentum into the final stretch of the season. 

With multiple games remaining at home, the Terps will have many opportunities to play in front of their own fanbase and turn competitive performances into results.