Benson, McGowan Homer In 5-4 Loss To Illinois

Maryland softball falls in series-tying game despite two home runs

Apr. 18, 2026 at 8:34pm

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A cubist-style painting featuring overlapping geometric shapes and planes in shades of blue, green, and orange, conveying the energy and movement of a softball game without depicting any specific players or teams.A fragmented, cubist-inspired illustration captures the dynamic action and tension of the back-and-forth softball matchup between Maryland and Illinois.College Park Today

The Maryland Terrapins softball team lost to the Illinois Fighting Illini 5-4 on Saturday afternoon, despite home runs from Matti Benson and Anna McGowan. Illinois rallied with a three-run seventh inning to overcome the Terps' early lead.

Why it matters

This was an important Big Ten conference matchup between two teams looking to improve their records. The loss evens the weekend series, setting up a rubber match on Sunday that will be crucial for Maryland's postseason hopes.

The details

Benson hit a two-run homer in the first inning to give Maryland an early 2-0 lead. McGowan then added a two-run shot of her own in the fourth to put the Terps up 4-2. However, Illinois mounted a comeback in the seventh, scoring three runs to take a 5-4 lead that they would hold on to for the win.

  • In the bottom of the 1st inning, Benson hit a two-run home run.
  • In the bottom of the 4th inning, McGowan hit a two-run home run to put Maryland up 4-2.
  • In the top of the 7th inning, Illinois scored three runs to take a 5-4 lead.

The players

Matti Benson

A Maryland softball player who hit a two-run home run in the 1st inning to give the Terps an early lead.

Anna McGowan

A Maryland softball player who hit a two-run home run in the 4th inning to put the Terps up 4-2.

Keira Bucher

The Maryland softball pitcher who started the game and limited the damage through the early innings.

Illinois Fighting Illini

The opposing softball team that rallied in the 7th inning to come back and defeat Maryland 5-4.

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What’s next

The two teams will square off in a rubber match on Sunday at 12 PM to decide the series.

The takeaway

This back-and-forth game highlighted the competitiveness of the Big Ten softball conference, with both teams fighting hard to gain an advantage. Maryland's early home run power was not enough to hold off Illinois' late-game comeback, setting up an important series finale on Sunday.