Maryland softball’s third game against Rutgers on Sunday was easily its worst display of the weekend. 

The Terps could not figure out how to field the ball, whether behind the plate or in the infield. This resulted in multiple weak runs for the Scarlet Knights. 

The Terps fell 9-3, but if they simply put on an average defensive performance, it would have been much closer. 

“We weren’t coming out quite as hungry as we’ve come out the last two days,” head coach Lauren Karn said. 

After Friday’s horrendous fielding performance, today’s struggles highlight what is becoming a recurring issue for the Terps. 

The fifth inning was the worst accumulation of Maryland’s problems, as they conceded five runs, none of which were the result of impressive play on the Rutgers side. 

A poor attempt at a ground ball from shortstop Sammi Woods summed up the Terps day perfectly. What should have been a routine groundout resulted in another weak score for Rutgers. 

Another routine out failed when Benson ran into a runner going for a ball rolling away from third base. 

“A three-day series is challenging on both sides, so we need to be better at staying focused and taking care of the ball on defense,” Karn said. 

Maryland’s batting, although not fantastic, could have been worse. 

Matti Benson and Mariah Penta batted in the Terps’ three RBIs. 

Benson batted in Gracelyn Solarz, who pinch ran for Penta, with a triple that skipped over the left fielder’s glove. The triple was the second of her career, a nice highlight to take away from a tough game. 

Penta herself scored two runs in the fifth inning on a beautifully hit double into the left field gap. 

Penta finished the series with three hits and three RBIs. 

“She was attacking the moment every time she got up there and doing her best to make the adjustments she was wanting to make,” Karn said. 

By the time pitcher Keira Bucher entered the game in the fifth inning, Rutgers had already scored more runs than Maryland would all game. 

However, that did not stop the Scarlet Knights from dismantling the senior. She allowed five runs in three innings, her worst performance of the season.

The fifth was not Maryland’s only inning with poor fielding. 

In the fourth inning, Rutgers center/rightfielder Siera Hoekstra stole second thanks to a poor throw from catcher Zayda Rocke and bad communication from the second baseman and shortstop. 

What’s worse, the runner on third stole home due to the confusion, extending the Rutgers lead. 

Maryland also gave up another run due to a throwing error in the seventh inning. 

Pitcher Aubrey Wurst, who replaced starter Elisea Wiegand with just one out in the first inning, put together a solid performance in spite of the poor fielding. 

Rutgers struggled against Wurst, who recorded three strikeouts in 3 2/3 innings. 

While she allowed two runs, both came from errors. Her larger issue on the day was her walking of four batters after replacing Wiegand. 

Wurst has had multiple strong showings recently. In an appearance on Saturday, Wurst closed for the Terps, shutting down the Scarlet Knights as she secured five strikeouts without allowing a run. 

“I think she wasn’t as sharp as she was yesterday, and so throwing more balls out of the zone … I do think it was a little bit harder for them to time her up still,” Karn said. 

Wurst also delivered a great game against Liberty on Feb. 21, another game where she replaced Weigand very early. She went 5 2/3 innings, allowing no runs and striking out five batters. 

Wiegand lost her poise in this one, giving up a home run to Rutgers’ opening batter, Second baseman Sam Rohwer. Rohwer crushed the fifth pitch of the game, and Wiegand gave up another RBI single before Maryland pulled her from the game. 

This is the first time Wiegand has allowed multiple runs since Feb. 28. 

“They just kind of had her number,” Karn said. 

Bucher struggled in the Terps’ opening series. She allowed nine runs in three appearances for the Terps.