Feb. 16, 2001

Box Score

TAMPA, Fla. - The Maryland softball team (0-2) opened the 2001 season on Friday, falling 4-1 to National Fastpitch Softball Association (NFCA) preseason No. 19 Notre Dame and 10-5 to No. 4 Washington. After putting in solid efforts against stiff opposition on opening day, the Terrapins look to bounce back Saturday as the USF-Holiday Inn Tournament continues.

Right-hander Amanda Bettker (St. Petersburg, Fla.) went the distance in taking the Game 1 loss, fanning five Fighting Irish batters. Notre Dame first got on the board with a three-run third inning, scoring a run on a Terrapin error and tacking on two more as Jenny Kriech doubled to center field. The Irish's right fielder singled in another run in the sixth, giving Notre Dame a 4-0 advantage. Maryland attempted to rally in its final at bat, as designated hitter Danielle Carpenter (Mt. Laurel, N.J.) drew a one-out walk. Pinch runner Amanda Kipnis (Northbrook, Ill.) advanced to second as Irish catcher Jarrah Myers' pickoff try sailed wide, and scored when freshman Jen Peel (St. Leonard, Md.) ripped her first collegiate base hit down the left field line for a RBI double. The Terrapins threatened after a Monica Cyphert (Warren, Ohio) walk, but the Irish were able to get the remaining outs and hold on for the 4-1 final.

Senior Jenn Shellhammer (Slatington, Pa.) and Cyphert battled the Huskies in Game 2, with the freshman suffering the loss. The Terps took advantage of Washington control problems in the first, scoring two runs on three hit batters, three wild pitches, a walk and a passed ball. Peel led off a Maryland three-run third with a walk, advancing to second on a Jillian Callaway (Brandywine, Md.) "Texas-league" single, then going on to steal third and score on a Stefanie Robinson (Avenel, N.J.) groundout. After a Jennifer Potzman (Trexlertown, Pa.) walk loaded the bases, Callaway and Robinson scampered home on a throwing error by the Huskie shortstop.

The powerful Washington offense would not go quietly, however, and the Huksies began to claw their way back with a Jamie Clark two-run triple in the third. Washington crossed six runs on five hits in a fifth inning that featured a Traci Tawney triple, and tacked on one run apiece in the sixth and seventh for the 10-5 victory.

Callaway had two hits and a run for the Terps on the day, while catcher Beth Radford (Dunkirk, Md.) gunned down three opposing base runners in the act of stealing.

The USF-Holiday Inn Invitational resumes Saturday, with the Terrapins back in action at 6 p.m. vs. the Hofstra Pride. Following that match-up, the Terps meet the South Carolina Gamecocks at 8 p.m. to close out the second day of competition.

Contact: Mark Fratto
301-314-7064 (phone)
301-314-9094 (fax)
301-314-TERP (Fan Phone)
fratto@wam.umd.edu