March 2, 2001

Box Score 1, Box Score 2

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - A combined twenty-one base hits complemented outstanding pitching performances by junior Amanda Bettker (St. Petersburg, Fla.) and freshman Liz Gall (Bothell, Wash.) as the Maryland softball squad (7-6) convincingly swept a pair of games against the Towson Tigers. A towering three-run homer by junior Kiesha Pickeral (Hughesville, Md.) and five RBI each by Pickeral and senior Michelle Burrell (Owego, N.Y.) highlighted the first day of the 2001 Terrapin Invitational, on which the Terrapins raced out to a 2-0 start.

In her first start in two weeks after recovering from illness, Bettker was masterful in Game 1. The right-handed fireballer allowed only one hit in the five innings played while fanning three Tigers. A four-run fourth, which included a two-RBI single through the left side by Burrell, gave the Terrapins the first advantage of the day. Staying hot in the fifth, the Terrapins put the game away with five more runs on four base hits. Pickeral's three-run blast preceded a two-RBI double by Burrell, which gave the Terps their final 9-0 lead and Bettker and Maryland retired Towson in order in the fourth and fifth. Pickeral's four RBI in Game 1 tied her single-game career-high.

Freshman hurler Gall was selected for her first career start in Game 2 and answered the call beautifully, allowing only one run on four hits in the complete game victory. The Terrapins cracked the scoreboard in the first with RBI singles by Pickeral and freshman Monica Cyphert (Warren, Ohio) and added a run each in the second and third innings on an Annmarie Browne (Lansdale, Pa.) single and Jillian Callaway (Brandywine, Md.) double. A seeing-eye single by Julia Cappelli scored a Towson run in the third, but Maryland broke the game open in the fifth. Ten Terp batters came to the plate that inning as Maryland amassed four runs on four hits.

On the day, Burrell was 3-for-5 (.600) with two doubles, two runs scored and five batted in. Cyphert went 4-for-7 (.429) with a double, three runs and a RBI.

The 2001 Terrapin Invitational continues tomorrow as all five participating teams are in action. Maryland takes on Fairfield at 1 p.m.

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