Maryland (15-26, 1-17 B1G) vs. Illinois (12-31, 2-12 B1G)
April 17-19, 2026
Maryland Softball Stadium
(4/17) 6:00 PM, (4/18) 2:00 PM, (4/19) 12:00 PM
B1G+
COLLEGE PARK, MD - The University of Maryland softball team hosts the Illinois Fighting Illini this weekend for the final home series of the season. The action kicks off on Friday, April 17, at 6:00 p.m.
PROMOTIONS:
(4/18) STRIKEOUT CANCER: Join us at Maryland Softball Stadium to show your support in the fight against breast cancer! Fans are encouraged to wear pink, cheer on the Terps, and help raise awareness for this important cause.
- Cheer for a Cure: The first 100 fans in attendance will receive pink Breast Cancer Awareness ribbons, "I Fight for" signs, and pink sunglasses.
- Maryland Pep Band: Make sure to stop by Maryland Softball Stadium, as the Maryland Pep Band sets the soundtrack for the game.
- Postgame Autographs: Meet your favorite players after the game for autographs!
(4/19) SENIOR DAY: Come out to the Maryland Softball Stadium and celebrate our graduating seniors!
- Poster Making Station: Show your love for the Terp seniors! Stop by the poster-making station to create personalized signs. Hold up and cheer loud as we celebrate our seniors!
- Senior Recognition Ceremony: Join us as we recognize and celebrate our graduating Terps for their contributions to the program.
- Celebrate the Seniors: Stop by the marketing table to grab festive giveaways and cheer on our graduating Terps
- Testudo Appearance: Find Testudo at the game and take a selfie! Tag @TerpsSoftball in your Instagram and Twitter gameday photo!
match up preview
- Maryland hosts Illinois this weekend for the final home series of the season. The Terps enter the game with a 15-26 overall record and a 1-17 Big Ten record.
- Last time these teams met was in 2024. Illinois pulled away with a 4-0 win in College Park.
- Maryland will host the 2026 Big Ten Softball Tournament at the Maryland Softball Stadium, May 6-9. This will be the first year College Park will host the Big Ten Softball Tournament. Maryland's last win in the Tournament was in 2024, where the No. 10 ranked Terrapins upset No. 7 Penn State, 3-1 in nine innings.
Howard recap
- Maryland picked up its fourth shutout win over Howard on Wednesday.
- Zayda Rocke recorded her first-career grand slam in the bottom of the first inning to give the Terps an early 4-0 lead.
- Matti Benson picked up her seventh double of the year.
- Caitlyn Cornwell and Bailey Murphy recorded two hits each and Mariah Penta recorded a hit.
- Anna McGowan picked up her ninth home run of the season.
RECORD BOOK PERFORMANCE
- The 2026 Terps etched their name in the record book, recording 18 hits against Providence (2/28), placing them fifth all-time for hits as a team in a single game.
- Anna McGowan is tied for second in Maryland Softball history for RBIs in a single game, recording six against Providence (2/28).
- Maryland also recorded four home runs in the 8-1 win against Fairfield (2/28), which ties for third all-time in the record book for home runs in a single game.
- In game one of the series against Rutgers, Maryland played a 12 inning game which tied for the second longest game in program history. Maryland's longest game spanned 14 innings in a 4-2 loss against Florida State in March of 2007.
- The Terps earned an 11-7 win against George Washington in 10 innings, which ties for the fourth longest game in program history. The last 10 inning game was a 5-4 win against Purdue in 2024.
- Matti Benson tied the Maryland single game RBI record of seven and tied the single game record of home runs (2) against George Washington (3/18).
b1G tournament
- Maryland will host the 2026 Big Ten Softball Tournament at the Maryland Softball Stadium, May 6-9.
- This will be the first year College Park will host the Big Ten Softball Tournament. Maryland's last win in the Tournament was in 2024, where the No. 10 ranked Terrapins upset No. 7 Penn State, 3-1 in nine innings.
- Recently, the university finished the new Softball Player Development Center, which provides a 5,800-square-foot, climate controlled indoor facility outfitted for both hitting and pitching, leveraging performance analytics and modern training technology.
