Maryland defeats BYU
By Andrew Breza
Two straight days, two-straight wins for Maryland at the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge in Mexico. After beating No. 22 Oregon 7-3 Thursday night, the Terps bested the BYU Cougars Friday afternoon, 10-2. The team is off to its first 2-0 start since the 2013 season.
Both teams started out slow, with no runs scored in the first two innings. However, the Terps flashed their offense in the 3rd inning, scoring seven runs on five hits. The game ended up lasting only 5 innings.
A few players stood out in helping propel the Terps to a victory. Jaeda McFarland went three-for-three with an RBI and run scored, while Sammi Woods also went three-for-three with a two-run single and a double, which was the team’s only extra-base hit of the game. Mackense Greico scored twice and recorded two RBIs. All in all, the Terps put up 13 hits with two stolen bases.
On the defensive side, pitcher Trinity Schlotterbeck pitched a gem. She gave up no runs, only three hits, and struck out four batters in four and one-third innings pitched. She starts her 2023 campaign off 1-0. Freshman Keira Butcher recorded her first save as she finished the game in Schlotterbeck’s place.
BYU ended the game with two runs on six hits.
Maryland softball suffers first loss to California Baptist
By Daniel Sarver
Sloppy play cost Maryland the game in their matchup against California Baptist. The Terps fell 2-1 to the Lancers in a game in which they had five errors.
Jazmine Castaneda pitched 6.1 innings for the Lancers and only allowed five hits and one run.
Maya Martinez batted 2-for-3 with two RBIs which would end up winning California Baptist the game.
Both pitchers threw two shutout innings to start the game as the offenses were slow to find their rhythm.
An error-filled third inning by the Terps allowed California Baptist to take the lead. Maryland recorded four errors that led to the Lancers scoring two unearned runs.
Martinez singled to the shortstop and drove Merissa Borkowski and Priscilla Estrada home.
The Terps answered back in the fourth inning. Jaeda McFarland reached base on a fielder’s choice. Mackense Greico then singled after she hit the ball just out of the second baseman’s reach, allowing McFarland to score and cut the deficit to one run.
Maryland pulled their starting pitcher, Courtney Wyche, in the bottom of the fourth inning and replaced her with Kyra Pittman. Pittman inherited two runners on base and then loaded the bases up with only one out when Estrada reached base.
However, Pittman showed great resolve when she retired the next two batters she faced to get out of the inning.
California Baptist then loaded the bases again in the bottom of the fifth inning with only one out.
Maryland brought in Trinity Schlotterbeck to replace Pittman in the circle and she stayed cool to get the Terps out of another defensive jam.
Down to their last three outs, Maryland attempted to get a rally going after Greico doubled to right center, but Presley Hosick was able to retire the Terps’ last two hitters and secure the win for the Lancers.
Maryland will face No. 3 Oklahoma State in their next game on Sunday.
