Box Score HAMMOND, LA – Maryland softball led early but dropped a 6-3 decision to Syracuse on Friday at the Lion Classic. 

Maryland (3-4) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the third inning on a two-RBI double by Jaeda McFarland. Syracuse then rallied down the stretch by scoring five unanswered runs to steal the win. The Terps had a chance to tie the game with bases loaded and the game-tying runs in scoring position in the sixth but couldn't convert. 
 

B3 | Jaeda McFarland with a 💣 to left field for an RBI double as the Terps score the first two runs of the game.

Maryland 2, Syracuse 0#FearTheTurtle pic.twitter.com/yyjkklL1eM

— Maryland Softball (@TerpsSoftball) February 16, 2024

Delaney Reefe ended the scoring run with a solo home run in the sixth inning - her second of the season. 

McFarland finished with multiple hits, going 2-for-4 while adding a single. 

Courtney Wyche pitched five innings and struck out four batters. She also didn't allow a hit until the fifth inning. Kiera Bucher replaced her in the circle during the sixth inning and struck out two batters. 

Syracuse (4-2) had five different players record an RBI in the game. Kelly Breen was its only player to notch multiple hits. 

The game was Maryland's second of five on its schedule in Louisiana.  
 

FINAL

Syracuse 6, Maryland 3

🔗 https://t.co/xIPe9pSwjT#FearTheTurtle pic.twitter.com/L207bFhqAO

— Maryland Softball (@TerpsSoftball) February 16, 2024

Breaking Down The Action

• Maryland loaded up the bases with zero outs in the bottom of the third. Jaeda McFarland hit a two-RBI double to left field, scoring Madison Runyan and Michaela Jones to take a 2-0 lead.   
• In the bottom of the top of the fifth inning, Syracuse loaded up the bases with zero outs. Syracuse scored two runs in the inning to tie the game up. 
• Diamond Williams doubled down the right-field line in the bottom of the fifth but the Terps couldn't capitalize with the go-ahead runner in scoring position. 
• Syracuse took the lead in the top of the sixth inning on a RBI single to center field. Keira Bucher came in to pitch for the Terps and Syracuse added two more RBI singles to take a 5-2 lead. 
• Delaney Reefe hit a solo home run to left field to close the gap. Mazie MacFarlane then hit a double and the Terps got the tying runs in scoring position after Michaela Jones reached on a fielding error, but Maryland was unable to bring them home. 
• Syracuse added an insurance run on an RBI single by Kelly Breen in the top of the seventh and went on to close out the game.  

Moving Up The Record Books

T2 | Courtney Wyche picking up right back where she started last week as she strikes out her first batter of the day 🔥

Maryland 0, Syracuse 0#FearTheTurtle pic.twitter.com/7MbWEIFzVD

— Maryland Softball (@TerpsSoftball) February 16, 2024

• Courtney Wyche struck out four batters on Friday to increase her career total to 444, which is seventh all-time. She's only six strikeouts from passing Kaitlyn Schmeiser (2012-15). 
• Wyche also passed Jessica Aditays (2002-05) for career innings pitched and is now seventh all-time. She has pitched 472 innings and is 46.1 innings from passing Monica Cyphert (2001-04). 

Numbers To Know

• 3: Madison Runyan and Sammi Woods recorded three hits between two games on the day.
• 2: Delaney Reefe hit her second home run of the season. 
• 444: Courtney Wyche's career strikeout total which is seventh all-time.  

Up Next

• Maryland is back in action tomorrow at Noon ET for its second game against Syracuse. Fans can follow live updates on Twitter @TerpsSoftball.