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Maryland Softball Drops Opening Game Against Penn State

The Terps tried to make a last-ditch comeback in the fourth, but Penn State ultimately pulled away.
Jaden Golding|
Maryland at Penn State | HIGHLIGHTS | Big Ten Softball | 04/03/2026
Maryland at Penn State | HIGHLIGHTS | Big Ten Softball | 04/03/2026 | Big Ten Network

The Maryland Terrapins softball team dropped its opening matchup against Penn State, 13-5, on Friday afternoon, which is the first of a three-game weekend series at Nittany Lion Softball Park.

Maryland drops to 13-21 overall and 1-12 within the Big Ten conference. The Terps are desperately searching for answers amid a tough seven-game losing skid.

In today's contest, the Terps jumped out to a strong start, which looked promising for the game's momentum.

Maryland took the advantage first at the top of the second. After back-to-back singles by Zayda Rocke and Caroline Fox, it brought Jaylee Williams up to the plate with a prime opportunity.

Williams delivered with an RBI single down left center, bringing home Rocke. Caitlyn Cornwell hit a single, loading the bases up, that resulted in Bailey Murphy hitting a sacrifice fly extending the lead to 2-0.

Caitlin Olensky limited the Nittany Lions (24-12, 5-5 Big Ten) in the first two innings to just one run on one hit.

Williams once again came through in the top of the third inning, hitting her second RBI single of the game, making it a 3-1 advantage for Maryland.

However, Penn State responded in the bottom frame of the inning, pouring in eight runs behind three separate home runs, highlighted by a grand slam by Gabby Gradishar that kicked off the scoring. The Nittany Lions led 9-3 entering the fourth inning.

Matti Benson tried to pull the Terps back in the contest, cutting the deficit down to four runs after slicing a two-run double down the left field line in the fourth.

Penn State would add four more runs in the bottom of the fourth, and held the Terps scoreless in the fifth, securing the victory.

Williams finished the day going 2-for-3 at the plate with two RBIs. Caroline Fox also went 2-for-3 at the plate and scored a run.

Benson had two RBIs on the day.

Key Team Stats

  • Despite the run difference, Maryland outhit Penn State 9-8.
  • Penn State drew 10 walks on the day.
  • Both teams left seven runners on base.
  • Maryland had seven different players who finished with at least one hit. Missing out on prime opportunities to plate runs.

Up Next:

Maryland finishes the series with Penn State tomorrow in a doubleheader, beginning with game one at 11 am.

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Jaden Golding
JADEN GOLDING

Jaden's sports journalism career began at the College of Southern Maryland from 2022-2023, where he was brought in to cover baseball, softball, basketball, soccer, and volleyball at CSM. In late 2023, he began interning at the University of Maryland Athletics Department as a contributing writer to help develop feature stories and game recaps. He also creates his own sports media content on professional Washington teams with LegacyMaker Sports Network.

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