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University of Maryland Athletics

Softball vs UCF
4
Winner Maryland UMD 5-4
1
East Carolina ECU 4-5
Winner
Maryland UMD
5-4
4
Final
1
East Carolina ECU
4-5
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Maryland UMD 2 0 0 0 2 0 0 4 8 1
East Carolina ECU 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 8 1

W: Bucher, Keira (2-0) L: Apostolakos, Julia (2-3)

Game Recap: Softball |

Keira Bucher Throws Complete Game In 4-1 Maryland Win

Bucher’s career day moved the Terps to 3-1 in the Purple-Gold Classic.

GREENVILLE, NC — The Terps sealed their Saturday sweep in the Purple-Gold Classic with a 4-1 win over host East Carolina on the back of Keira Bucher's complete-game effort in the circle. Maryland moved to 5-4 on the season and 3-1 on the weekend. 

Maryland loaded the bases in the top of the first, setting Mariah Penta up for a two-RBI double as the Terps jumped out to an early 2-0 lead. ECU (4-5) pushed a run of its own across in the bottom of the first, but Bucher still had a lead to take into the second inning.

Bucher made her first start of the season in the circle for the Terps and delivered Maryland's second dominant pitching performance of the day. She went a career-high seven innings, allowed just one run on eight hits and kept the Pirates at bay. 

Maryland broke the game open in a two-run, two-hit bottom of the fifth. Sage Rodmyre drove in her third RBI of Saturday's doubleheader before Bailey Murphy brought a run in with an RBI single, pushing the score to a 4-1 lead. 

Bucher closed out the win, going the distance for the first time in her career and collecting her second win of the season. Maryland is back in action on Sunday, closing out its time in the Purple-Gold Classic with a rematch with East Carolina.

How it Happened:
  • T1: Penta drove a pair of runs home with a two-RBI double to open the scoring.
  • B1: ECU brought its first run home on an infield single. 
  • B1: ECU stranded two as Maryland kept a 2-1 lead. 
  • T3: Penta ripped her second double of the game to left field.
  • T4: Maryland got a pair of singles from Taylor Borovac and Caitlyn Cornwell.
  • T5: Rodmyre extended the lead with an RBI single.
  • T5: Murphy brought home a run as the Terps extended their lead. 
Sinking the Pirates:
  • Saturday marked the 14th all-time meeting between Maryland and ECU, with the Terps winning eight of the previous games.
  • The Terps improved to 3-1 all-time against the Pirates in Greenville. 
  • Maryland's biggest win in series history was a 12-2 victory in 2023.
Impact Performances:
  • Bucher (SP): 7.0 IP, W (2-0), 1 R, 8 H, 1 K, 3 BB, 108 pitches.
  • Penta (1B): 2-4, 2 2B, 2 RBI.
  • Rodmyre (3B): 2-4, R, RBI.
  • Cornwell (CF): 1-2, R, BB, HBP.
Numbers to Know:
  • 3: Rodmyre tallied her third RBI of Saturday's doubleheader.
  • 7: Bucher threw a career-high seven innings in her complete-game effort. 
  • 8: The Terps recorded eight hits in the win.
  • 9: Maryland earned its ninth-ever win over ECU.
Up Next:
  • Maryland closes its time in the Purple-Gold Classic with a rematch with ECU on Feb. 15. First pitch is set for 11 AM and the game will air on ESPN.
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