The Maryland Terrapins, or Terps, faced a tough 9–0 loss to No. 7 UCLA on Friday in the opening game of their series at Maryland Softball Stadium. With the defeat, the Terps fall to 15–16 overall and 3–5 in Big Ten play as they turn their attention to game two of the series.
From the opening pitch, UCLA showcased its offensive depth and strategic sharpness, establishing an early lead and never letting up. The Bruins capitalized on Maryland’s defensive missteps and executed timely, aggressive hitting to build a lopsided advantage.
UCLA erupted for eight of their nine runs in the fourth and fifth innings, pulling away decisively after a relatively tight start. Megan Grant delivered a standout performance, going 2-for-3 at the plate and driving in six runs. She crushed a three-run homer and later added a bases-clearing double with the bases loaded—both game-changing hits that cemented UCLA’s control of the contest. Grant’s ability to perform in clutch moments underscored UCLA’s offensive firepower and discipline under pressure.
But Grant wasn’t the only standout. Several Bruins contributed in key moments, using aggressive base running, timely bunts and sharp line drives to keep Maryland’s defense off-balance. Jordan Woolery and others played significant supporting roles, highlighting UCLA’s roster depth and ability to adapt offensively. Their versatility made the Bruins unpredictable and nearly impossible to contain once they found their rhythm.
Meanwhile, Maryland struggled to generate momentum offensively. Bailey Murphy remained a bright spot for the Terps, going 2-for-2 with two singles. The junior continues to lead the team with a .388 batting average and tallied her seventh multi-hit game of the season. Sydney Lewis recorded Maryland’s only other hit.
Pitcher Julia Shearer took the loss after throwing 3.2 innings, showing flashes of composure early—especially in the second inning, when she escaped a bases-loaded jam with the help of a double play by Sammi Woods. However, as UCLA turned up the pressure, the Terps faltered. Fielding errors and defensive breakdowns, particularly in the fourth inning, opened the floodgates for the Bruins’ scoring surge. Shearer was later relieved by Aubrey Wurst and Keira Bucher.
UCLA’s Kaitlyn Terry was dominant in the circle, improving her record to 13–3 with a complete-game shutout—her third of the season and sixth complete game overall. Terry used pinpoint accuracy and swing-and-miss pitches to neutralize Maryland’s lineup and build confidence among her teammates.
The Bruins’ game management stood in sharp contrast to Maryland’s struggles. While UCLA dictated the pace with poise, precision and power, the Terps showed signs of disconnect, especially on defense. Missed cues, reactive plays and fielding mistakes cost Maryland several opportunities to limit damage. Their inability to recover once UCLA applied pressure reflected a broader need for improved communication and cohesion.
Compounding Maryland’s woes were the intangibles—mental errors and weather conditions that added an unpredictable layer to the game. The light rain that began falling midway through the game didn’t help, especially for a team already battling execution issues.
Game Breakdown
UCLA struck first in the second inning, scoring a run after applying steady pressure. Maryland responded well at first, with Shearer escaping a bases-loaded jam and Woods turning a pivotal double play that kept the deficit to one.
However, the tide shifted sharply in the fourth, when the Bruins strung together hits, including RBIs from Clements and Pola, followed by Grant’s three-run homer, to extend their lead to 6–0. They followed that up in the fifth with another bases-loaded opportunity, which Grant capitalized on with a bases-clearing double to make it 9–0.
UCLA’s combination of power hitting, smart base running and defensive solidity proved too much for Maryland to overcome.
What’s Ahead?
UCLA will look to replicate their success and clinch the series when they face Maryland again on Saturday, March 29, with the first pitch scheduled for 2 p.m. Maryland will need to regroup quickly, tighten up defensively, and find ways to break through UCLA’s dominant pitching if they hope to bounce back in game two.
