Feb. 23, 2001

Box Score 1, Box Score 2

BOCA RATON, Fla. - Riding solid pitching performances by the Maryland staff and an overall outstanding day by freshman Monica Cyphert (Warren, Ohio), the Maryland softball team (4-3) swept the first day of competition at the Florida Atlantic-Worth Invitational. Cyphert's daylong effort included a 2-for-6 (.300) batting performance with a run scored and two batted in, plus the Game 1, one-hit pitching victory over the Fighting Illini.

The freshman hurler, who has allowed only three hits in her last two games, struck out a pair in a 1-0 Game 1 win vs. Illinois. Junior southpaw Danielle Carpenter (Mt. Laurel, N.J.) allowed only one hit in four scoreless Game 2 innings against Florida A&M, while freshman Liz Gall (Bothell, Wash.) gave up only one run on two base hits across to seal a 5-1 Terps defeat of Florida A&M.

Maryland capitalized on some Illinois miscues to score the only run in the first game of the day. After reaching on an error, catcher Beth Radford (Dunkirk, Md.) advanced to second on a Kiesha Pickeral (Hughesville, Md.) sacrifice hit and to third on a Cyphert groundout. The junior came around to score on a wild pitch by Illinois' freshman pitcher Kathryn Nevard.

The Terrapins got their bats going in Game 2, outhitting Florida A&M by an 8-3 margin. The Terrapins first dented the scoreboard in the third inning, when a bases-loaded Jennifer Potzman (Trexlertown, Pa.) single scored sophomore Stefanie Robinson (Avenel, N.J.). Maryland increased its lead to 2-0 in the fourth, as Cyphert crossed on a Carpenter sacrifice fly.

The Terps were not finished, however, and went on to score three runs in the seventh. Freshman Jen Peel (St. Leonard, Md.) singled to left to lead off, and advanced to second on an errant pickoff attempt. Senior centerfielder Michelle Burrell (Owego, N.Y.) rapped a single to left center to score Peel, and advanced into scoring position on the throw home. After a Radford walk, Cyphert launched a bases-clearing double to the right centerfield gap, giving the Terps a 5-0 lead. FAMU scored a run on a pair of hits in its half of the seventh, but Maryland held on for the win.

Peel finished with two hits on the day for the Terps, while a Pickeral double off the top of the left centerfield wall in Game 2 was inches away from being a home run. In the two games, Radford picked off a pair of baserunners and gunned down two more attempting to steal.

Round-robin play at the FAU-Worth Invitational continues Saturday, with championship bracket play beginning Sunday. The Terrapins take on conference-rival Florida State at 1 p.m. in a game that has no ACC/SASA implications. A meeting with the host Florida Atlantic Owls is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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