COLLEGE PARK, MD – Michaela Jones walked it off for Maryland softball with her second home run of the game in the 10th inning. Maryland (20-28, 5-14 Big Ten) defeated Purdue (24-23, 10-9 Big Ten), 5-4, as a result of her two-run shot at Maryland Softball Stadium on Saturday's Senior Day.
It was Jones' first two-home run game of her career. She finished her outing 3-for-4 with three RBIs and two runs scored. Her other homer occurred in the second inning.
Purdue scored three of its runs in the top of the seventh inning, including a go-ahead run, but Jaeda McFarland came through with an RBI double to extend the game. The Boilermakers added a run in the 10th, but once again the Terps responded. Courtney Wyche earned the win by going three innings and striking out seven batters.
Julia Shearer provided a dominant outing starting in the circle. The freshman went 6.1 innings, struck out a career-high five batters and surrendered just five hits and zero earned runs. She even matched her career-best strikeout mark in the first inning after striking out the side.
McFarland went 3-for-4 with two RBIs and added a stolen base. She tripled for the 21st of her career, adding to her program record. The stolen base was the 68th of her career, which is second in school history behind
Megan Mikami. Mikami went 3-for-5 with two runs.
Breaking Down The Action
- Julia Shearer struck out the side to open the game to match her career-high.
- Michaela Jones hit a solo home run in the bottom of the second inning and the Terps grabbed a 1-0 lead.
- Jaeda McFarland tripled in the fifth inning and drove home Megan Mikami. The Terps led 2-0.
- Purdue scored three runs in the top of the seventh to take a 3-2 lead.
- McFarland tied the game with an RBI double in the bottom of the inning and sent the game to extra innings.
- Maryland loaded the bases in the ninth inning but couldn't bring home the game-winning run.
- Purdue scored one run to take a 4-3 lead in the 10th.
- Jones walked it off in the bottom of the inning with a two-run homer.
Terps In The Record Books
- Jaeda McFarland stole a base today and is second in school history with 68 for her career. She is chasing her teammate Mikami, who stands alone with 77 stolen bases.
- McFarland hit a triple in the fifth inning to add to her school record for most in a career. She now has 21 career triples.
- Courtney Wyche struck out seven batters in the game, increasing her career total to 627, which is fourth all-time. Next on the list is Kerry Hickey (2008-11), with 663 career strikeouts.
- Wyche is also fourth on the all-time innings pitched list with 603.1 in her career. Next on the list is Kendra Knight (2009-12), who threw 630.1 innings in her career.
- Wyche earned the 52nd win of her career, which is fourth in program history. She passed Kendra Knight (2009-12). Next on the list is Kerry Hickey (2008-11), who has 55 career wins.
Numbers To Know
- 1: Michaela Jones recorded her first multi home run game.
- 5: Julia Shearer struck out five batters for a new career-high.
- 15: Jones has 15 career home runs, including five this season.
- 31: Jones registered her 31st career game with multiple hits.
- 35: Megan Mikami has 35 multi-hit games in her career.
- 59: Jaeda McFarland has 59 multi-hit games, including 16 on the season.
- 202: Courtney Wyche leads the Big Ten with 202 strikeouts on the season.
Up Next
- Maryland is back in action at Maryland Softball Stadium for game three against Purdue tomorrow, April 28. The first pitch is at noon, and the game will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.
