Maryland softball’s disastrous season continued against Penn State this past weekend.

The Terps were mercy-ruled in the first two games of the series, then were shut out on Sunday, sealing the series loss to Penn State.

Another series sweep extended Maryland’s losing streak to nine games, with an extended streak of 13 losses in its last 14 games.

Across the weekend, the Terps showed flashes of hope. They built early leads in the first two games and posted solid performances across the lineup.

Even so, the same pattern persists.

Until the Terps can find a way to keep their momentum, close games and early leads will continue to slip through their hands.

In Friday’s opener, the Terps took a 2-0 lead at the top of the inning. Their first run of the day was a result of four-straight singles.

Penn State later plated their first run of the day at the bottom of the second. From there, Maryland’s momentum unraveled quickly.

Penn State’s third-inning grand slam was followed by two more home runs, in its 8-run outburst and put the game out of reach.

Third baseman Matti Benson drove in two runs with a double in the fourth, but the Nittany Lions responded again. They tallied four more runs and run-ruled the Terps in a 13-5 loss.

The first game of Saturday’s doubleheader brought similar frustration.

Maryland struck first again when shortstop Sammi Woods recorded her first home run of the season. Catcher Zayda Rocke then followed with an RBI single that gave the Terps a 2-0 lead in the opening inning.

Penn State immediately tied it, but Maryland scored another two runs in the second as first baseman Mariah Penta delivered a two-run double. Even after the Nittany Lions plated another run, the Terps gained a strong early position. For a brief second, Maryland controlled the game.

Still, Penn State’s fourth inning once again led them to victory. The Nittany Lions tallied hit after hit and scored 13 runs in an eight-hit inning. For the second time in the series, Maryland was run-ruled in a 16-4 loss.

The second game of the day told a different story.

After 38 combined runs in the first two games, the last matchup became a low-scoring battle.

Pitcher Aubrey Wurst gave the Terps exactly what they needed in the circle with a strong performance. She kept Penn State off the board through six innings and allowed just two hits.

However, Maryland’s offense couldn’t match it.

Despite outhitting Penn State 4-2 and drawing five walks, the Teros couldn’t find a timely hit.

The game remained scoreless until the seventh inning, when Penn State walked it off with a home run over the left field, ending the game at 2-0.

Maryland will return to College Park to play Georgetown on April 8th, and the following seven games will remain at home. While home for such a long time, the Terps have a chance to regroup and build momentum to shift their season into a new direction.