Competing To Win

Maryland’s softball head coach, Lauren Karn, knows what it takes to take a program to new heights and success. 

Before coming to Maryland last year, Karn led the University of Oakland softball program for six seasons from 2018-23. She achieved her best stretch during her final three seasons, leading the program to three straight seasons with a winning percentage of .500 or higher. She became the first coach in program history to achieve that feat. 

Karn also led Oakland to back-to-back Horizon League titles in 2022 and 2023 and a spot in the NCAA tournament during the 2022 season. 

The two-time Horizon League Coach of the Year believes her experience at Oakland has helped her establish a blueprint for a winning culture at Maryland. 

“The key to that is finding the right people to do it with and making sure we all have the same excitement in the work that has to be done to get there,” Karn said. “You shouldn’t have to convince somebody to want to win at this level. For me, we’re checking off those boxes in the recruiting process and trying to chip away at it one class at a time.”

Karn continued, explaining the characteristics she seeks in people she brings into her program. Many of the individuals on her current team embody those qualities, which has created excitement for the upcoming season. 

“Finding people who want to come make a difference right away and feel that winning is important to them because it is for me. There are a lot of other factors in my program that are instrumental as well, but winning is really important because otherwise, what are we doing? We are really excited about what our group’s doing right now and the progress that we can make once they start playing games.”

Katey Hendershott and Jen Lapicki are two returning assistants from Karn’s coaching staff this season.

Hendershott is familiar with coach Karn, as she was a part of Karn’s staff at Oakland from 2022-23. She oversaw the defense, helping the team win back-to-back Horizon League titles 

Lapicki is an experienced coach who has coached at Fordham, Holy Cross, and Princeton. Her experience will continue to help develop the Terps, as she won conference titles, coached in the NCAA Tournament and led multiple players to conference honors.

Last year, the Terps made strides in Coach Karn’s first season with the program. Maryland defeated two ranked opponents during the regular season, including No. 25 Oregon and No. 22 Penn State. They finished the season strong, winning five of the final seven games and securing a spot in the Big Ten Tournament. After defeating Penn State in the first round, Maryland earned its second postseason victory in program history. 

Karn noted the importance of building on last year’s success and establishing themselves as a unit capable of competing for a Big Ten title. She explained that her squad had already fulfilled two goals by getting to the Big Ten Tournament and winning a game.  

“I think that sets the standards and expectations for us,” Karn stated. “We talk about winning a Big Ten championship, making it into the postseason, getting to the NCAA Tournament.” 

Karn continued by stressing the importance of this year’s team establishing its identity to reach its goals. Last year’s group was led by several seniors who have since graduated. The younger returners were allowed to learn from those experienced veterans, which will serve them well in their careers. 

“I don't know if the young ones fully understood it last year,” Karn said. “I think that is going to kick in a little bit more this year once we get rolling. Just understanding the roles that our team can play to help us get there.”

Maryland's key returning players include Sam Bean, Sydney Lewis, Madison Runyan, Sammi Woods, Mazie MacFarlane, and Julia Shearer. The six returners will step into prominent leadership roles on a young team. 

Lewis is a powerful hitter who excels at bringing in runs for the Terps and finished last season with a career-high in RBIs (41), home runs (4), batting average (.279) and slugging percentage (.416). 

“I'm excited to see how our team performs with so many new faces,” Lewis said. “We work so hard every single day. We have so much talent. I'm just trying to continue to be a leader for them and help them adapt to being in college, but also the sophomores adapting to being starters as well, just instilling that confidence in them every single day.” 

Mazie MacFarlane returns for her final season with the Terps and will look to continue her dynamic presence at the plate she displayed last year. MacFarlane set career bests in batting average (.338), slugging percentage (.517), on-base percentage (.449) and home runs (5) in 2024. 

The duo of Runyan and Woods return to the middle infield. They anchor the Terps' defense with versatility and range. Both are key elements of one’s game that Karn has sought to emphasize in her recruitment. 

Sam Bean returns this season after missing all of last year due to an injury. Bean’s presence behind the mound will help sophomore pitcher Julia Shearer build off the confidence she displayed at the end of last season. 

This year’s roster features five incoming freshmen and one transfer student, Mariah Penta. Gracie Wilson, Meghan Gray, Matti Benson, Aubrey Wurst, and Taylor Borovac make up Maryland’s freshman class. 

“We have really great athleticism in this year’s class,” Karn said. “We have young players who are going to mix in and fill into the roles that we need them to. They’re excited for that challenge and feel prepared for what comes with that.”

Coach Karn and her squad are gearing up for the 2025 season, which starts at the Kajikawa Classic against Arizona State on Feb. 6. With an entire offseason to implement her culture and team plans, Maryland softball is as excited as ever.

“This team is really fun, and it makes playing softball fun,” MacFarlane said. “For me, just going out there and playing with my friends because it is my last season and enjoying the little moments, whether we win, lose or whatever. We all have fun, love being together and we're all competing to win.”