Maryland softball (7-9) picked up one win, but suffered three losses against Ohio State (9-7) this weekend.
In Columbus, Ohio, the Terps experienced two mercy rule losses out of the four games against the tough Buckeyes.
On Friday, the Terps lost game one 5-0 against the Buckeyes. Maryland sophomore pitcher Trinity Schlotterbeck recorded her second loss of the season with one walk allowed and no strikeouts. Offensively, the Terps were pretty quiet except for junior infielder Taylor Okada who went 2-2 with two singles.
For the Buckeyes, freshman pitcher Allison Smith took the win, striking out eight Terps. Ohio State batters were consistently making contact with the ball. Sophomore infielder Mariah Rodriquez went 2-3 with a RBI. Junior infielder Ashley Prange went 1-2 with a double, a walk and scored two runs.
The following day, Maryland made a comeback beating Ohio State 8-2 in the first game of the doubleheader. This game was a home run palooza.
Terps sophomore pitcher Courtney Wyche won and completed the game with five strikeouts and no walks. The Terps did better offensively this game, recording 10 total hits. Junior designated player Haley Ellefson went 2-4 including a home run, and recorded a RBI and scored two runs.
Redshirt senior outfielder Michaela Jones also hit a home run, her first of the season, and had three RBIs. Junior infielder Ruby Butler went 2-3 including a triple, and had a walk, RBI and one run scored.
The Buckeyes fell short in game two, as freshman pitcher Allison Smith lost, making her record tied at 5-5. Smith gave up two walks, six hits and no strikeouts. Offensively, the Buckeyes only had six hits total. Sophomore catcher Sam Hackenbracht went 2-3 with two doubles and junior outfielder Kaitlyn Coffman went 1-3 with a home run, a RBI and a run.
(Photo courtesy of Maryland Athletics.)
In the second game on Saturday, the Terps lost 13-3 in five innings. Schlotterbeck recorded the loss with twelve hits allowed, nine runs and only one strikeout. Ellefson hit her second home run of the season and of the day, while she also recorded all three RBIs. Junior infielder Regan Kerr went 1-2 with a run and a stolen base.
Ohio State dominated offensively and in the circle. Smith pitched her third game in a row and ended up achieving the win. Smith recorded seven strikeouts and only allowed four hits. The Buckeyes had a total of 17 hits and three stolen bases. Ashley Prange went 2-3 with a home run, two RBIs and a run.
Junior outfielder Meggie Otte hit three doubles, three RBIs and had three runs. Sophomore infielder Mariah Rodriguez went 2-2 with a double and a triple, a RBI and two runs.
On Sunday, the Terps were mercy ruled again, losing 9-1. Wyche recorded the loss allowing nine hits and two wild pitches with only two strikeouts. Freshman outfielder Jaeda McFarland and Taylor Okada had two singles a piece. Redshirt senior pinch hitter and later on outfielder Micaela Abbatine went 1-1 and scored the Terps’ lone run.
Senior pitcher Payton Buresch recorded the W with two strikeouts, one walk and six hits allowed. The Buckeyes hit well and had three stolen bases on the day. Senior utility player Niki Carver hit a home run and had three RBIs, a third of the Buckeyes’ runs. Prange went 2-2 with a double, a run and a walk.
The Terps will face the Northwestern Wildcats April 2 – April 4 in its season opener in College Park, Maryland. Fans can tune on BTN+.
