University of Maryland Athletics

Sammi Woods Celebrates a Hit Against Illinois
1
Illinois ILLINOIS 12-32
5
Winner Maryland MARYLAND 16-26
Illinois ILLINOIS
12-32
1
Final
5
Maryland MARYLAND
16-26
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Illinois ILLINOIS 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 4 2
Maryland MARYLAND 4 0 1 0 0 0 X 5 7 0

W: Olensky, Caitlin (4-8) L: Karley Yergler (2-15)

Game Recap: Softball |

Four-Run First Lifts Terps To 5-1 Win Over Illinois

Caroline Fox plated three as Maryland opened its weekend series with a Big Ten win.

COLLEGE PARK, MD — The Terps took the drama out of Friday's game against Illinois with a four-run first inning and cruised to a 5-1 win to open the weekend series. Maryland's pitching was brilliant as the Terps improved to 16-16 (2-17 Big Ten) in 2026. 

Maryland got right after Illinois' starter with a four-run, three-hit frame. Zayda Rocke drove the Terps' first run in before Anna McGowan plated another with an RBI groundout. Caroline Fox then doubled the lead with a bases-clearing double as Maryland claimed the early 4-0 advantage.  Pitching with the lead, Caitlin Olensky was dominant in the circle for the Terps. She retired the first six batters she faced, didn't allow a hit until the third inning, and held Illinois scoreless until her fourth and final inning of work. 

Rocke and Matti Benson all logged multi-hit days in the win. Fox collected a season-high three RBIs. Mariah Penta scored twice while Elisea Wiegand closed out the game with three clean frames as she retired all nine hitters she faced. Maryland dominated the first game of the weekend series as the Terps dropped Illinois to 12-32 (2-13 Big Ten) on the season. Game two of the conference series is slated for Saturday at 2 PM.

How it Happened:
  • T1: Olensky capped a 1-2-3 first inning off with a strikeout. 
  • B1: Penta singled to put runners on the corners and record Maryland's first hit.
  • B1: Rocke's RBI single opened the scoring.
  • B1: McGowan gave the Terps a 2-0 lead with her RBI groundout.
  • B1: Fox's two-RBI double opened a 4-0 Maryland lead.
  • T2: Olensky worked another clean inning.
  • B3: Fox drew a bases-loaded walk to push Maryland's fifth run across. 
  • T4: Illinois got on the board with a solo homer. 
  • T5: Wiegand worked a clean first inning in relief.
  • T6: Wiegand earned another 1-2-3 frame. 
  • T7: A clean seventh inning from Wiegand capped the 5-1 win.
Impact Performances:
  • Olensky (SP): 4.0 IP, W (4-8), 1 R, 4 H, 4 K.
  • Wiegand (RP): 3.0 IP, 0 R, 0 H.
  • Benson (3B): 2-2, R, BB.
  • Fox (2B): 1-2, 3 RBI, 2B, BB.
  • Rocke (C): 2-3, R, RBI.
Numbers to Know:
  • 7: Maryland earned its seventh all-time win over Illinois.
  • 7: The Terps outhit Illinois 7-4.
  • 9: Wiegand retired all nine batters she faced.
  • 10: Maryland improved to 10-8 at home this season. 
  • 18: Friday marked the 18th all-time meeting between Maryland and Illinois.
Up Next:
  • Maryland and Illinois continue their weekend series on Saturday at 2 PM on B1G+.
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