May 2, 1999

TAMPA, Fla. - Senior Kelly Shipman pitched two complete games, one of which was a titanic 13-inning battle, to lead No. 23 Maryland to a pair of victories over No. 22 South Florida at the USF Softball Complex. The Terps won game one, 2-1, in a school-record 13 innings and won game two, 5-3. The pair of victories clinched the South Atlantic Softball Alliance championship and the first-ever NCAA Tournament berth for the Terps.

Maryland's record is now 45-19 and 10-2 in the SASA. South Florida is now 42-24 and 4-4 in alliance play. The Terps are ranked 23rd and the Bulls 22nd in the latest USA Today/NFCA softball poll.

Shipman struck out eight and allowed only four hits as Maryland was victorious in game one. The game was scoreless through 10 innings before both teams scored one run in the 11th and the Terps scored two in the 13th to claim the win.

Maryland began its half of the 13th as sophomore Michelle Burrell was placed on second to begin the inning. NCAA tie-breaking rules stipulate the player who made the final out of the previous inning begin the next offensive inning on second.

Burrell advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore Jennifer Potzman. She then scored the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly by freshman Kiesha Pickeral. Junior Cortney Madea doubled to right and freshman Beth Radford was intentionally walked to place runners on first and second. Senior Fawna Lackovic then singled to center to drive home Madea with an insurance run.

The Bulls half of the 13th began with senior Ginny Georgantas being placed on second. Junior Amanda Whitesall then singled to center to send Georgantas to third. Shipman then hit junior Nora Wideikis with a pitch to load the bases. Shipman then forced senior Shannon Walker to pop up to second and junior Lea Mishlan to pop out to third with the third out.

Maryland scored four runs in the top of the seventh (last inning) to win game two. The Terps entered the inning trailing 3-1 but scored four runs on three hits and were helped by two Bull errors to take the lead. During the inning, Madea was credited with an RBI as she was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and later scored on an error by the Bull catcher Priscilla Smith. Pickeral and Burrell also scored unearned runs during the inning.

Shipman, who also struck out eight during the second game, struck out the final two batters of the game to complete the sweep. On the day, Shipman pitched 20 innings, allowed four hits, two earned runs and faced 75 batters. He record is now 27-11.

Game No. 1   123   456   789   10 11 12 13  R   H   E
Maryland     000   000   000   0  1  0  2   3   8   1
S. Florida   000   000   000   0  1  0  0   1   4   1

Kelly Shipman and Sarah Putnam. Monica Triner and Priscilla Smith. Winning Pitcher - Shipman (26-11). Losing Pitcher - Triner (22-11). Doubles: Cortney Madea (M). Triples: None. Home Runs: None.

Game No. 2   123   456   7   R   H   E
Maryland     000   010   4   5   8   0
S. Florida   000   030   0   3   5   2

Kelly Shipman and Sarah Putnam. Jennifer Thompson, Monica Triner (5) and Priscilla Smith. Winning Pitcher - Kelly Shipman (27-11). Losing Pitcher - Triner (22-12). Doubles: Cortney Madea (M), Fawna Lackovic (M).