By Eddie Hobbs
Maryland Softball played a double header at Rutgers on Wednesday, making up the two games that had been postponed since early this season. The Terps split the double header with the Scarlet Knights as Maryland won the first game 4-3, while Rutgers won the second game 4-3.
In the first game, both teams struggled out of the gate as they combined for zero runs in the first two innings. In the bottom of the third inning Rutgers jumped out front with a 3-0 lead. Rutgers’ infielder Anyssa Iliopoulos started off the inning with a single up the middle. After two straight groundouts, Hannah Dewey was looking to close out the inning. That was until Rutgers’ outfielder Nicolette Anico hit a single past Anna Kufta to bring Iliopoulos home. Rebecca Hall doubled to bring Anico around to score, and Sierra Maddox singled up the gut to drive in Hall. This gave Rutgers the early 3-0 lead, and that is all the Knights would score in this one.
Maryland broke out of their funk in the fifth inning and it started with a Juli Strange single to center field, followed by a Skylynne Ellazar single down the right field line. Anna Kufta came up to bat and delivered a double to left center scoring Strange and Ellazar. Kufta was able to make it to third on a passed ball and Hannah Dewey singled to center field to drive in Kufta and just like that the game was tied at 3-3 all.
In the top of the seventh inning, Rutgers’ pitcher Shayla Sweeney walked Hannah Dewey and Kristina Dillard, and Sarah Calta struck a ball down the left field line bringing Hannah Dewey across home plate to give the Terps a 4-3 lead.
CALTA!
She brings in the go-ahead run with a single to left field! #FearTheTurtle https://t.co/ozleWsPEfJ
— Maryland Softball (@TerpsSoftball) May 3, 2017
Madison Martin came in to close out the game and she would give up zero hits in the bottom of the seventh inning. Maryland won the game 4-3.
In the second game of the double header, the Terps offense was stagnant throughout the game and they dug themselves an early hole as they were down by four runs by the fifth inning.
In the second inning Rutgers left fielder Hailey Hoklotubbe hit an RBI single to bring a runner home. In the third inning, Rebecca Hall was able to score on a wild pitch by Madison Martin. Rutgers’ outfielder Carly Todd was able to start the fourth inning with a double to right center. Later in the inning Rutgers’ outfielder Taryn Atlee hit an RBI single down the right field line and drove in Todd. Rebecca Todd hit a bomb over the right center wall in the fifth inning and it gave Rutgers their last run of the day and the Knights were up 4-0.
Like in the first game, Maryland finally got on the board in the fifth inning. Destiney Henderson started off the inning with a double to center field. Amanda Brashear was able to bring her home with a shot to right field.
The Terps would attempt a comeback in the seventh inning, the bases were loaded for Anna Kufta and she hit a grounder to the second baseman, driving in Brigette Nordberg to cut the Rutgers lead to 4-2. Hannah Dewey had an RBI single to left scoring Skylynne Ellazar to bring the score to 4-3. But the comeback would fall short as Kristina Dillard grounded out to short to end the game.
Maryland looks to finish out the season strong against Wisconsin this weekend. The first game is on Friday at 6:00 P.M right here in College Park.
