The No. 25 Oregon Ducks (11-8) were shut out in a 4-0 loss to the Maryland Terrapins (6-11) in the third game of the Jane Sanders Classic. Oregon’s offense struggled to gain any momentum, recording just four hits on the day. Maryland was able to take advantage of those struggles to come out on top.
Morgan Scott took the mound to start the game for the Ducks and struggled early. She walked the first Terrapin, then hit the second with a pitch to put two runners on base before getting an out. Maryland’s Diamond Williams hit a double to bring both runners home and give the Terrapins a 2-0 lead just three batters into the game. A double-play helped Oregon get out of the inning without allowing any more to be added to its deficit.
After the scoring from Maryland in the first inning, neither team was able to get much momentum on offense. The bottom of the first and second for Oregon saw them unable to record a hit. After struggling in the first inning, Scott was able to record a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the second, and ended the top of the third after allowing a hit that the Terrapins were unable to capitalize on.
The bottom of the third inning finally saw the Ducks put up a fight on the offensive end. A walk to start the inning, then a hit from Paige Sinicki put two runners on base. Kai Luschar grounded out, resulting in the first out of the inning, but it was enough to advance the runners to second and third base. However, a strikeout and another ground out ended the inning, leaving two runners on base for Oregon. After three innings, the score was still 2-0 with Maryland on top.
The Terrapins were able to get their own offense going in the top of the fourth. Sammi Woods singled to left field to get on base, then Michaela Jones hit a home run to score two. Heading into the bottom of the fourth, the Ducks now found themselves trailing 4-0.
Oregon was unable to respond to the scoring, getting a single from K.K. Humphreys but nothing else in the fourth inning. The bottom of the fifth saw a 1-2-3 inning pitched by Maryland’s Courtney Wyche, keeping the Ducks scoreless during her time on the mound. The bottom of the sixth was not much different. Oregon managed to get two runners on base, but both were left there as the Ducks ended another inning scoreless.
On defense in the top of the fifth, Oregon subbed in Stevie Hansen to pitch. She was able to get through the next three innings while allowing just two hits and holding the Terrapins without a run to keep the score the same.
The bottom of the seventh inning gave the Ducks one last chance to rally for a comeback. Sinicki was able to reach base on a fielder’s choice that saw Kendre Luschar get thrown out at second. If Oregon was going to rally, it needed to do so with two outs and just one runner on base. Unfortunately for the Ducks, that comeback attempt was ended before it could begin on a groundout from Kai Luschar.
The shutout loss marked the fourth time this season that Oregon has failed to score a run. Scott was given the loss for the Ducks after she pitched 4.0 innings in the game, allowing four runs and five hits during her time on the mound. On the other side, Wyche pitched a complete game for the Terrapins. She allowed just four hits, none of which resulted in any extra bases for Oregon.
Oregon will face the Terrapins again on Saturday, March 2 at 12:30 p.m. to conclude the Jane Sanders Classic.
