Box Score 1 |
Box Score 2 ATLANTA, Ga.- Maryland got great outings from all three of its pitchers: Hannah Dewey, Madison Martin, and Brenna Nation but dropped both games of a doubleheader by one run, 1-0 to No. 5 Alabama, and 4-3 to Georgia State.
In game one, he Crimson Tide scored the games only run in the fifth inning, Maryland loaded the bases in the seventh but couldn't punch the tying run through. In the nightcap, a game that saw four lead changes and RBI singles by Skylynne Ellazar, Hannah Dewey, and Corey Schwartz ended in walk-off fashion as Maryland fell to Georgia State 4-3.
GAME ONE
Hannah Dewey and Madison Martin combined for a thrown gem in the circle and Destiney Henderson played magnificent defense in center field, but Maryland fell in a hard fought pitchers duel to No. 5 Alabama 1-0.
“We played a great game against Alabama,” said head coach Julie Wright. “I was really proud of both Hannah and Madison. We were in a position to win at the end of the game and that's what I have been asking this team to do.”
If you like a good pitchers duel, this was the game for you. Both Hannah Dewey and Alabama's pitcher Sydney Littlejohn went the first four innings only allowing one combined hit.
In the top of the fifth, Alabama pulled through as a Maryland error, a sacrifice bunt, and two Crimson Tide hits plated the games only run. Destiney Henderson made a tremendous over the fence, two run home run saving rob to keep it a 1-0 deficit.
The Maryland offense threatened in the fifth and seventh innings. In the fifth, Sarah Lang drew a full count walk before Kylie Datil punched through the first Terrapin hit of the game. With two outs, Destiney Henderson hit a liner through the infield but Alabama's Marissa Runyon matched Henderson's catch with one of her own to keep the Terps off the board. In the seventh, Maryland would load the bases off hits by Kristina Dillard and Destiney Henderson and a walk by Jordan Aughinbaugh but could not complete the comeback.
GAME TWO
Maryland and Georgia State exchanged one run leads three times before the Panthers walked off in the seventh to defeat the Terrapins 4-3.
“We beat ourselves,” said Wright. “When a game is tight at the end like it was, you need to embrace the moment and play your best ball. We just didn't get that done.”
The Terrapins jumped on top early, executing textbook softball. Lindsey Schmeiser drew a lead off walk, Destiney Henderson laid down a sacrifice bunt, and Skylynne Ellazar drove Schmeiser in to take an early 1-0 lead.
Pitching in her home state, Georgia native Brenna Nation held the Panthers to no runs and just two hits through four innings. In the game, Nation went 6.1 innings allowing three earned runs and striking out three.
After Georgia State scored two runs in the fifth to take a 2-1 lead, Maryland immediately responded. In the top of the sixth, Hannah Dewey came through with a single through the right side to tie the game followed by a clutch liner by the senior captain Corey Schwartz to score Dewey and give Maryland a 3-2 lead.
The Panthers turned the tide of the game for the fourth time as they scored two runs on a walk-off single by Reagan Mordan to win the game 4-3.
After two one-run losses to open the Panther Inivtational, Maryland looks to respond tomorrow with a doubleheader against Mercer at 3:00 and Miami (OH) at 5:30.
