March 9, 2001

Box Score 1, Box Score 2

TAMPA, Fla. - The Maryland softball squad (10-8) received another strong pitching performance from Amanda Bettker (St. Petersburg, Fla.) and "just what the doctor ordered" from Kiesha Pickeral (Hughesville, Md.) as the Terrapins overpowered Florida A&M, 4-1, after falling, 3-0, to Florida International on the second day of the Speedline Invitational. Bettker fanned nine Rattlerettes while Pickeral launched the third grand slam in Terrapin history to down FAMU and bring their record to 2-2 in pool play at the elite event in Tampa.

Terp ace Bettker increased her season record to 3-1 and shrunk her ERA to a season-low 0.56 with her second dominant performance in consecutive days. The junior allowed only three hits and made only one mistake all afternoon, giving up a solo home run to A&M's Tonya Minick in the sixth.

With one down in the fifth, Maryland freshman Jen Peel (St. Leonard, Md.) and senior Michelle Burrell (Owego, N.Y.) punched singles up the middle to put pressure on Rattlerette pitcher Tenyse Tasby. Looking to cut the Terrapin rally short, FAMU's hurler managed a strikeout after a passed ball, but a two-out walk to senior Jennifer Potzman (Trexlertown, Pa.) set the table for Pickeral. The Terp stalwart first baseman teed off on an 0-2 pitch, belting the offering well over the left centerfield fence.

Maryland had no problems threatening in both of the day's games but met some difficulty when trying to cross runners. Pickeral remedied that situation with the first grand slam of her career, joining all-time RBI leader Cortney Madea (1996-2000) and Potzman as the only Terps ever to accomplish the feat in the program's seven-year history. It was Pickeral's third long ball of the season.

Earlier in the day the Terps fell 3-0 to the Golden Panthers in the third game of pool play despite a valiant effort by freshman hurler Monica Cyphert (Warren, Ohio). The rookie struck out a career-high ten batters, scattering eight base hits through most of the contest. FIU strung three hits together in the third - an infield hit and a pair of bloop singles - to score two runs. Florida International crossed their final run on a Jennifer Owens RBI chip shot to the left centerfield gap. The Terrapins put runners aboard in five of the contest's innings but were unable to get on the scoreboard.

Pickeral and Burrell had two hits apiece for the Terrapins on the day, while Maryland's pitching staff combined for 19 strikeouts.

The Terps have one final game remaining in pool play at the Speedline Invitational. Maryland takes on Oklahoma State (4-0 in the tournament) at noon on Saturday before seedings for bracket play are set.

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