The Virginia softball team dropped three close battles against Maryland this weekend by scores of 6-5, 9-6 and 6-5. In each game, the Cavaliers put up strong showings on offense but failed to contain the Terrapins’ explosive bats.
The series opened with a doubleheader on Saturday at Robert E. Taylor Stadium. In the first game, Virginia (12-15, 1-5 ACC) scored three unearned runs in the first inning despite not recording any hits to take an early lead. Maryland (14-16, 3-0 ACC), however, responded with two runs in the bottom of the first and four more in the third to jump ahead 6-3.
In the sixth, Cavalier junior third baseman Marcy Bowdren scored on a single by junior designated player Karli Johnson, while sophomore Megan Harris also scored to cut the deficit to one, but the tying run eluded Virginia.
On a bright note, senior pitcher Melanie Mitchell threw her 103rd career complete game, setting a school all-time record. She gave up five hits and five earned runs on the game.
In the second half of the doubleheader, Maryland freshman shortstop Lindsey Schmeiser set the tone early with a three-run home run in the first inning. Senior shortstop Alex Skinkis brought in two runs off a triple in the top of the second for Virginia, but the Terrapins reasserted their lead with five unanswered runs across the second and third innings. Freshman pitcher Aimee Chapdelaine fell to 3-5 on the year and gave up four earned runs.
Sunday’s series finale saw the Cavaliers fall behind 6-1 after four innings and never quite recover. A Johnson home run sparked a four-run rally for Virginia, but again the team couldn’t quite close the gap, falling 6-5. Mitchell allowed five earned runs on eight hits in her 104th complete game.
The team returns home next weekend to host Boston College.
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