The Georgetown University softball team (13-14, 6-6 Big East) dropped a non-conference game 5-3 to the University of Maryland (14-23) on April 8. The matchup at the Maryland Softball Complex in College Park, Md., featured a competitive non-conference matchup, but the Maryland Terrapins ultimately secured a walk-off victory in the seventh inning.
In the first inning, Georgetown had 3 quick outs, setting a slow start. During Maryland’s half, a Terps outfielder singled and quickly moved into scoring position with only one out, raising the pressure. After a Maryland utility infielder’s single loaded the bases, the Hoya defense faced a real threat but ended the inning by stranding two Maryland runners after a Terrapin catcher flew to center.
Moving into the second inning, the Hoyas secured a single from first-year infielder Taylor Francis, but left her stranded. Maryland then responded with a Terp outfielder’s solo home run, putting them up 1-0.
In the third inning, the momentum shifted slightly. Junior infielder Brooke Rebhan notched a single for Georgetown, but, as before, the Hoyas left a runner waiting. Maryland’s offense also stalled, managing only a walk. Georgetown kept the score close at 1-0.
Following a similar pattern, the Hoyas earned a walk in the fourth inning, but 3 consecutive outs quickly ended the threat to the Terps. Maryland loaded the bases with 2 hits, a walk and a stolen base, but Georgetown’s defense held strong to maintain the 1-0 margin.
Sophomore infielder Nina Sarlo singled in the fifth inning, but she was thrown out at third attempting to steal. Georgetown then shut down Maryland to keep the Terrapins off the board.
In the sixth inning, senior first and third baseman Dayanara Campos stood out by going 1-for-2 with a pivotal 3-run home run, earning 3 RBIs to tie the program’s career home run record of 29 alongside Noelle Holiday and Samantha Peters.
Rebhan contributed to the Hoya offense by going 2-for-4 and scoring one run, while Gabby Park went 1-for-4 with a run scored. The Hoyas collected 2 additional hits but left runners on base. In response, Maryland quickly responded with 4 hits in the running, using 2 RBI singles to even the score at 3-3.
In the seventh inning, senior outfielder Claire Turner grounded out, followed by strikeouts from both Rebhan and Park. Maryland then capitalized on an error, as a Terp catcher delivered a walk-off 2-run home run for the 5-3 win.
After the Maryland game, Rehban said the Hoyas are preparing for a tough conference series.
“Tomorrow is a big moment for this team, especially because most of us haven’t had an opportunity to compete for a conference title before,” Rebhan told The Hoya. “A win against a top-three team like Creighton would be something we haven’t accomplished in a long time and it would be a huge step forward for our program.”
Francis echoed her teammate’s sentiments, saying she looked forward to facing the Bluejays.
“We’ve definitely grown a lot since the start of the season and this is a chance to see where we really stand,” Francis told The Hoya. “We’re a gritty group that’s had to fight for everything this year and going up against a top 3 team like Creighton is our chance to show that we belong,”
“If we want to make the tournament, these are the games that we have to take,” Francis added.
The Hoyas are set to face Creighton University (21-20, 9-3 Big East) in a series opener April 10. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. Friday, with games on April 11 and April 12.
