LEESBURG, Fla. - Maryland softball had its season opener Friday night against No. 24 Minnesota, splitting the series 1-1. 

HOW IT HAPPENED: 

• GAME 1
  • The Terps and Gophers remained scoreless in a tight battle heading into the fifth 
  • After a run from Minnesota late in the top of the fifth, Maryland answered back with Campbell Kline stealing home to tie things up 1-1
  • Minnesota added a run in the top of the eighth to put the Gophers up 2-1
  • The Terps had runners on second and third with one out in the bottom of eighth, but could not score
• GAME 2
  • Maryland answered a Minnesota RBI in the bottom of the third with their own to tie 1-1 in the top of the fourth with sophomore Taylor Ligouri grounding out to second base, bringing freshman Jaeda McFarland home 
  • In the top of the sixth, Taylor Okada singled through the right side to advance Jaeda McFarland to third. The Terps then put themselves on top 2-1 with McFarland making it home on a wild pitch 
  • Sophomore Trinity Schlotterbeck excelled in the circle, with five strikeouts in six innings pitched 

MONTGOMERY'S TAKE:
"The girls really fought hard. Played Minnesota's All-American toe-to-toe and bounced back to win the second game," head coach Mark Montgomery said. I'm very proud of everyone on this team, this truly was a team effort! We had outstanding pitching and tremendous defense."

Next Up:
The Terps will face Illinois for a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 27 with Game 1 beginning at 10:20 a.m. Fans can follow along on BTN+.