COLLEGE PARK, Md. – In its final series prior to opening Big Ten play, the Maryland softball team dropped a twin bill against St. Francis on Tuesday. The team lost 3-2 in the first game, while falling 5-2 in the nightcap.

After the games, Maryland falls to 17-11 on the season and 0-0 in conference play. Tuesday's games marked the end of a five-game home stand, in which the Terps went 3-2.

“[You have to] give St. Francis a ton of credit,” head coach Courtney Scott Deifel said. “They played really well and held us in check. Ultimately I would have liked to see our team take care of the softball a little better.”

Erin Pronobis continued her stellar batting performance, going 5-for-6 with one RBI and one run over the course of the two games.

Next up, the Terrapins head to Iowa City, Iowa to open Big Ten play against the Hawkeyes this weekend. The two will faceoff for a three-game series on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Game One

After a scoreless first frame, St. Francis struck first as a Jordan Seneca single scored Alexis Bower from third. Maryland would strike back in the bottom of the second as Erin Pronobis scored from second off a Mandy Gardner RBI single and ensuing defensive error, tying the game at one.

In the St. Francis third, the Red Flash recorded two runs off no hits and two errors. Both Kindra Witthus and Seneca crossed home, both unearned. Through two and a half innings, St. Francis led 3-1.

Corey Schwartz mailed her team-leading eighth home run to center, a solo shot, to cut the SFU lead to 3-2 in the home third.

The score would stand as the game became a pitcher's duel. Through the final four innings, both Maryland and St. Francis yielded a two hits total, one per team.

Brenna Nation (2-1) took the loss, pitching three innings, giving up four hits, three runs (one earned) and striking out two. Kaitlyn Schmeiser also saw time on the mound.

Game Two

The Terrapins jumped out to an early 1-0 lead off a RBI single from K. Schmeiser scored Bridget Hawvermale. St. Francis responded in the top of the third, after a Bower sacrifice fly scored Taylor Parsons.

Additionally, the Red Flash would add two more runs in the top of the fourth and top of the fifth, respectively. Two defensive errors by the Terps extended the fifth resulting in two unearned runs for St. Francis.

Maryland got a run back after a Pronobis double to left drove in Corey Schwartz. The Terps would go relatively quietly the remainder of the game, falling 5-2.

-Maryland-