April 7, 2001

Box Score

FAIRFAX, Va. - The contest may have only lasted five innings, but the Maryland softball squad (27-13) played a complete game as the Terps downed George Mason, 10-0, to kick off the Patriots' Spring Clash. The Terrapins, winners of a season-high six consecutive contests and 12 of their last 14, amassed 11 base hits in four at-bats and while starting fireballer Amanda Bettker (St. Petersburg, Fla.) dominated with six strikeouts in three innings.

Maryland got on the scoreboard early and often to down the Patriots, while the virtually untouchable Bettker (9-3) allowed only two hits. Every member in the Terp starting lineup recorded a base hit for the second game in a row.

The Terps crossed their first runner in the opening stanza, as leadoff batter Michelle Burrell (Owego, N.Y.) launched a double to right center and was bunted to third by senior Annmarie Browne (Lansdale, Pa.). The Terp centerfielder scampered home on a Kiesha Pickeral (Hughesville, Md.) drive up the middle.

After a pair of Bettker strikeouts squelched a two-hit Patriot rally in the top of the second, the Terps sent 10 batters to the plate in the bottom. Five base knocks, including a pair of two-RBI singles by senior Jennifer Potzman (Trexlertown, Pa.) and Kiesha Pickeral (Hughesville, Md.), resulted in six Maryland runs. The Terps took a 7-0 lead into the third, where they scored three more on three hits and a sacrifice fly.

Freshman hurler Liz Gall (Bothell, Wash.) finished off the Patriots, allowing one hit in the two final innings while striking out three. The rookie's season ERA now stands at a stingy 0.97.

Pickeral finished the game 3-for-4 (.750) with a run scored and a career-high tying four RBI. Burrell scored three runs while Browne and freshman Monica Cyphert (Warren, Ohio) crossed two apiece.

The Terrapins continue play in the GMU Spring Clash at 1 p.m., when Maryland meets the Radford Highlanders. The Terps have now won ten in a row against the area-rival Patriots, bringing their all-time lead in the series to 11-6.

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