COLLEGE PARK, Md.— Despite plating two runs in the bottom of the seventh, the Maryland softball team fell just shy, dropping a 5-4 decision to Illinois on Sunday. Five Terrapin (23-19, 5-7 Big Ten) batters accounted for four runs off seven hits, in the fast-moving game.
Lindsey Schmeiser went 1-for-2 with two RBIs, including a home run, to extend her hit streak to 19 straight games. The junior has picked up a hit in 34 of 39 games this season.
Juli Strange led the Terps from the plate throughout the series, hitting .667 with a 1.000 slugging percentage and .700 on-base percentage. She also added three RBIs and a home run.
Illinois opened the scoring in the top of the first, mounting a quick 4-0 lead. Five straight hits for the Illini drove in three runs, while a wild pitch tacked on the fourth.
After a quiet second, Jess Perkins led off the third with a solo-shot to center, putting the Illini out to a 5-0 lead. L. Schmeiser got a run back for the Terps in the bottom of the frame, mailing a solo-shot to dead center.
The team's continued to trade scoreless innings, until the bottom of the fifth, when Strange and Kylie Datil strung together back-to-back singles. The two advanced into scoring position off a Sarah Calta fielder's choice, bringing L. Schmeiser to the plate. The Dunkirk, Md. native drove in her second run of the game off a sacrifice fly to center field.
In the bottom of the seventh, Datil led it off with a single, her second hit of the day. L. Schmeiser got onboard after getting hit by a pitch, as both runners advanced off a passed ball. Hannah Dewey rocked a double to left center, brining two runs home closing the Illinois lead to 5-4. Solid defense from the Illini quelled the Terps comeback and ended the game.
Brenna Nation (2-3) took the loss as Dewey and Kaitlyn Schmeiser also saw time at pitcher. K. Schmeiser pitched 3 and 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out four.
Maryland returns to the diamond on March 17, for a three game set against Penn State. First pitch for Friday's matchup is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.
Notes: L. Schmesier recorded a hit in all three games, extending her hit streak to 19 straight games…L. Schmeiser hit a home run in the final game, bringing her season total to eight and her career total to 24. That moves her into a tie for second on the all-time home run list in program history…L. Schmeiser hit two doubles this weekend, bringing her season total to 18. That moves her into sole possession of second on the single-season doubles list in program history…Dewey picked up multiple walks this weekend brining her season total to 44. That moves her into sole possession of second on the single-season walk list in program history.
