Down by four runs with three outs to go, it was almost a certainty that the No. 8 Washington Softball program was going to split the doubleheader with Maryland on Thursday after winning 8-0 in game one. But then, after a pair of runs and the bases loaded, junior Olivia Johnson stepped up to the plate.

She launched it over the fence in thrilling fashion to send the Huskies to an 8-6 victory with a walk-off grand slam.

The stunning victory improved Washington’s record to 14-2, with only two matches remaining until conference play. Even though there were multiple canceled games due to weather, victories against Mount St. Mary’s this weekend would give the Huskies one of their best non-conference starts to a season in program history.

Washington’s offense carves up Maryland in the first game of home opener

Sophomore Ruby Meylan (6-1) delivered her second consecutive complete-game shutout on Thursday, pitching five scoreless innings while striking out six, only allowing three hits, a walk, and an HBP.

Most of the scoring took place in a seven-run second inning, with the party getting started on a double steal that saw fifth-year Brooke Nelson steal second base and junior Kinsey Fiedler steal home.

With the bases loaded, Johnson drew an RBI walk before senior Jillian Celis knocked in a two-RBI double. Sophomore Rylee Holtorf followed with a two-RBI triple before sophomore Alana Johnson finished off the inning with an RBI single.

The Huskies got their final run of the game to force the run-rule in the fourth inning on a sacrifice fly from Holtorf to score sophomore Brooklyn Carter.

Olivia Johnson leads Washington to a six-run final inning in a massive comeback victory

It was a very rough start for senior Lindsay Lopez, who was unable to escape the first inning before giving up five hits, three walks, and an HBP which led to six early runs for Maryland. Freshman Sidne Peters was nearly perfect in relief, tossing 5.1 innings with seven strikeouts, one walk, and allowing zero hits.

Nelson (3-0) got her third win of the year by pitching in the seventh inning, giving up a pair of hits but allowing no damage.

An RBI walk allowed Washington to minimize the damage in the second inning, but with the bases loaded and one out, the Huskies were unable to capitalize on any more runs and left the runners stranded.

Sophomore Sydney Stewart cut the lead to 6-2 after a solo home run in the fourth inning, but that was the only baserunner the Huskies could put up until the fifth inning.

After Holtorf doubled and A. Johnson walked, Fiedler singled to load the bases with two outs and the tying run at the plate. Unfortunately, a foul out ended the run and put the Huskies in a tough position with two innings to play.

With runners on first and third for Maryland with one out in the seventh, the Huskies made a massive defensive play to force a double play and escape the inning unharmed. In the bottom frame, it was rally time for Washington.

A leadoff solo home run by Celis turned the momentum in the Huskies’ favor, as it was immediately followed by a triple from Holtorf (her second of the day.) A. Johnson ripped an RBI single down the left-field line before Fiedler drew a walk to put the winning run at the plate.

Nelson delivered a perfect sacrifice bunt to put the tying run in scoring position, but it wouldn’t matter as Stewart drew a walk to load the bases. That’s when Olivia Johnson came up to the plate with one out in a crucial at-bat.

Johnson crushed it over the fence in left-center field and left absolutely zero doubt as the Huskies went on to win yet another thrilling comeback at Montlake. Johnson finished the game batting 2 for 3 with a grand slam and a walk.

The Huskies will face Mount St. Mary’s on Friday and Saturday to conclude non-conference play before the final season in the Pac-12.