March 5, 1999

TAMPA, Fla. - As opening days go, it was not glamorous or high scoring for the University of Maryland softball team on Thursday in Tampa. The Terps saw themselves on the short end of scores in both games to nationally-ranked opponents in the first day of action from the Speedline Invitational hosted by the University of South Florida.

Maryland pitcher Kelly Shipman threw a two-hitter without a walk on Friday afternoon, but it was those hits that proved her demise as No. 23 Iowa used a pair of home runs to defeat the Terrapins 3-0 in Maryland's first game of the tournament.

In the nightcap, No. 17 Illinois-Chicago held off the Terps 2-1, as Maryland's record fell to 13-10 on the season. Shipman belted a solo homer with one out in the fourth inning to account for the Terps only run of the day. Shortstop Jennifer Potzman followed with a two-out single, stole second and was left on third base after a passed ball.

The Flames countered with a pair of runs in the sixth when a Potzman error allowed a UIC runner to reach first. She advanced to second on a fielders choice, and scored on Potaman's second error of the inning. UIC took its lead for good with a solo homer a batter later.

Maryland threatened again in the seventh when Beth Radford walked. Pinch-runner Chrissy Miller advanced to second on a passed ball, and to third on a two-out fielders choice, but was stranded as the potential tying run as the game ended. Freshman hurler Amanda Bettker absorbed the loss despite five strikeouts.

In the first game, it was Shipman who had a hand in the outcome both offensively and defensively. The senior pitcher, who also had one of Marylands two hits on the day, surrendered a solo homer in the fourth inning and a two-run shot in the sixth.

Maryland threatened first, however, when Annmarie Browne doubled down the leftfield line with two out in the third inning before Shipmans groundout ended the frame. The Hawkeye homer posted Iowa to a 1-0 lead in the home half of the fourth.

The Terps put together its only other scoring opportunity in the sixth, but Shipman was left on base after a two-out single.

Only five baserunners reached base in the entire first game. Shipman hit an Iowa batter with one out in the sixth to setup the clinching two-run homer.

The Terps play No. 13 South Carolina at 5 p.m. on Friday, followed immediately with a bout against Florida A & M at 7 p.m.

Game 1
Linescore                                   R   H   E
Maryland    0   0   0   0   0   0   0   -   0   2   0
Iowa        0   0   0   1   0   2   x   -   3   2   0

Shipman and Radford.

Game 2
Linescore                                          R   H   E
Illinois-Chicago   0   0   0   0   0   2   0   -   2   8   0
Maryland           0   0   0   1   0   0   0   -   1   2   3

Bettker and Radford.