April 30, 2000

2000 Atlantic Coast Conference Softball Championships

GAME SIX

Maryland 4, North Carolina 3

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - No. 2 seeded Maryland eliminated the top-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels 4-3 Sunday afternoon in game 6 of the ACC Softball Championships at the FSU Softball Complex. The Terrapins, who improved to 28-24 on the season, will face Florida State in game 7 at 11:00am Monday.

The Tar Heels scored first in game six, scoring a single run in the third inning. Sophomore Natalie Anter drove in the run off a single to centerfield to score senior Crystal Henderson. The Terrapins answered in the fifth inning, tying up the game at one apiece off senior Sarah Putnam's single to centerfield, bringing home sophomore Holly Baldwin, who singled to reach base. Maryland did not stop there, scoring three more runs in the inning to take the 4-1 lead. Freshman Amanda Kipnis, who was pinch running for Putnam, scored off a balk by Tar Heel pitcher Michael Parrott with junior Jennifer Potzman crossing the plate off a wild pitch. Sophomore Kiesha Pickeral drove in the final run of the inning, bringing in sophomore Beth Radford off a single to centerfield.

North Carolina answered in the top of the seventh inning, scoring two runs to cut the lead to one. Senior Jen Klesaris started the scoring, driving in sophomore Rosie Gustavson who singled to reach base. Henderson scored the final run for the UNC off a single to left field from junior Michelle Semmes but left two Tar Heels on base to give Maryland the 4-3 win.

"Our kids hung in there tonight," Maryland Head Coach Gina LaMandre said. "They hit the ball well and played tough. UNC has beaten us twice and to play a tough game against a team that has beaten you twice is a great accomplishment."

Putnam and Pickeral led the Terrapins both adding an RBI and going 1-2 and 1-3 respectively from the plate. Annmarie Browne, Jillian Callaway, Holly Baldwin and Michelle Burrell all added a hit a piece. Terrapin pitcher Amanda Bettker took the win, striking out four batters and giving up two earned runs in six innings as Jen Shellhammer got the save, her first of the season. For the Tar Heels, Gustavson and Henderson led the team each going 2-3 with a Henderson adding a double. Semmes and Anter both added an RBI and went 1-3 and 2-4 respectively as Kelly Ramsey added a hit. On the mound for North Carolina, Erin Joseph went 4.2 innings, striking out two batters and giving up all four earned runs. Michael Parrott finished the game for the Tar Heels, striking out one batter and giving up a run on a balk and a wild pitch.

"We congratulate Maryland on this win," UNC Head Coach Donna Papa said. "This is a very tough loss for us but we'll go back and work hard to finish the season on a strong note.

The North Carolina Tar Heels will finish their regular season as they host East Carolina Wednesday, May 3 in a Southern Atlantic Softball Alliance match-up beginning at 3:00pm.

GAME SIX          123   456   7   R   H   E
North Carolina    001   000   2   3   8   1
Maryland          000   040   x   4   6   1

WP: Amanda Bettker (14-12)
LP: Erin Joseph (9-6)
Save: Jennifer Shellhammer (2)