COLLEGE PARK, Md. – The Maryland softball team concluded its fall ball slate in emphatic fashion with wins against Bowie State, Saint Mary's, George Washington and Howard over the weekend at Robert E. Taylor Stadium. In total, the Terrapins went 8-0 in two weekends of action, outscoring their opponents by a cumulative score of 81-9.
"Our fall season provided us the opportunity to effectively evaluate our strengths and areas we need to improve upon,” said head coach Laura Watten. “While we can walk away having success in many areas, we still have many areas to continue to work and build upon."
Maryland won the first game of the weekend, 10-0, against Bowie State. Pitchers Hannah Dewey and Kaitlyn Schmeiser dealt a combined shut out, allowing just one base runner the entire game. On the offensive side of the game, the real breakout inning came in the third, as the Terps batted around while scoring four runs. Dewey also provided a two-hit game, collecting an RBI and scoring two runs.
In the second game of the day, the Terps defeated Mount Saint Mary's, 2-0. Brenna Nation fueled the victory by pitching a scoreless 5 1/3 innings, while Kaitlyn Schmeiser closed out the game. The first run came in the 6th inning when Sarah Calta scored on a wild pitch.
The following game was a close one, as Maryland was able to squeeze out a 3-2 win over George Washington. Kaitlyn Schmeiser was pitching a five inning shutout until George Washington hit a two-run home run. The Terps rallied in the bottom of the sixth as Maryland tied the game, 2-2, off of a couple of George Washington errors. The Terps would eventually go on to win the game on a Kylie Datil bases loaded walk in the eighth inning.
Maryland wrapped up the final game of the weekend with a solid 8-0 win over Howard. The Terps were led by Nation, who threw a complete game shutout, striking out seven and only allowing two hits. On the offensive side, Maryland opened up the game strong, by adding four runs in the first inning. The offense was led by Lindsey Schmeiser, who had two hits with a triple, and Shannon Bustillos, who collected two RBI's in the win.
“The most impressive characteristic portrayed during the fall season is the fact that the team is 'all-in' and fully committed to the process of growth and getting better every day,” Watten said.
FALL BALL BY THE NUMBERS
- Maryland allowed just seven earned runs in in 50 innings (1.26 ERA)
- Freshman Brenna Nation hurled two complete game shutouts, allowing only five hits and zero earned runs in her appearances
- Freshman Hannah Dewey had five multi-hit games with four extra base hits and 11 RBIs
- Sophomore Lindsey Schmeiser hit two home runs and one triple
- Senior Candice Beards had 12 hits in eight games
- Freshman Kylie Datil had nine hits, including a home run and a walk-off walk against GW, while flashing some leather in center field
- Junior Shannon Bustillos had four multi-hit games, scored 10 runs and notched seven RBIs
*Special thanks to Ben Kessler for compiling statistics.
