Miami, Fla. – A pair of freshmen led the Terrapins in their respective collegiate debuts Friday as the Maryland softball team fell to DePaul and FIU in its season-openers at the Felsberg Memorial Tournament in Miami, Fla.
Sarah Calta went 5-for-6 on the day, scoring four runs and swiping a pair of bags, while fellow classmate Kylie Datil went 4-for-7 with a run. Reigning ACC Freshman of the Year Lindsey Schmeiser also returned in full form, batting 3-for-6 with a two-run home run against FIU.
Game One – DePaul 8, Maryland 4
Calta went 2-for-2 with a pair of runs in her collegiate debut as Maryland dropped its season-opener Friday morning against DePaul, 8-4.
Datil started at shortstop and notched a pair of hits in her Terrapin debut, while L. Schmeiser reached based twice.
The Terrapins fell behind early as DePaul's first four batters reached base on a pair of singles and two walks. Kirsten Verdun knocked the first Blue Demon run across the plate, leading to a big four-run inning for DePaul that was capped off by a two-RBI double by Staci Bonezek.
Maryland answered another DePaul run in the bottom of the third as freshman Hannah Dewey reached on an error by the pitcher. The speedy Calta replaced Dewey at first, and promptly stole second. After a L. Schmeiser single, Calta scored on a L. Schmeiser steal attempt.
The Terps allowed three runs over the next four innings, before plating three of their own with a mini rally in the bottom of the seventh. Calta got the inning going with a single to score Erin Pronobis. Shannon Bustillos then knocked in Calta with a double to shortstop. Maryland could not overcome its six-run deficit, however, as it fell 8-4.
Game Two – FIU 14, Maryland 9
L. Schmeiser went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a home run as Maryland fell in a shootout to the host school FIU, 14-9, in the second game of the day.
The Terps started the game well by jumping out to a 4-0 lead, before succumbing to a five-run third inning. Maryland rallied from a 12-5 deficit with four runs in the sixth, but could not complete the comeback.
The team's leader in walks from a season ago, Amanda McCann, got things going for the Terps in the top of the first with a leadoff walk. She then advanced to second on a Calta sacrifice, before scoring on a pair of wild pitches.
Datil then doubled Maryland's lead by singling and making her way around the bases with some small ball. The Terrapins added two more runs in the top of the third when L. Schmeiser blasted a two-run home run.
After a five-run FIU frame in the bottom of the third, Erin Pronobis squared the game at 5 by scoring Corey Schwartz on a triple to right field.
The Panthers added seven more runs over the next two innings to build a 12-5 advantage. Maryland rallied with four runs on three hits in the top of the sixth, but FIU added two runs in the bottom half to seal the victory.
The Terps return to action tomorrow morning at 10 a.m. against Jacksonville, before playing another opponent yet to be determined.
