April 26, 2003

Game 1 | Game 2

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Terrapins (18-16, 1-6 ACC) ended their winless ways against ACC opponents Saturday thanks to clutch hitting by senior Jillian Callaway (Brandywine, Md.) and solid pitching by Monica Cyphert (Warren, Ohio) as they took a 2-0 win from North Carolina (39-18, 4-3 ACC) in game one of a doubleheader on Senior Day. Maryland fell to North Carolina, 5-1, in the second game of the twinbill.

The Terps collected their two runs in the fourth inning after being shut down by North Carolina starter Crystal Cox through the first three. Cox (24-10) struck out five and hadn't given up a hit through the first three innings. In the fourth, centerfielder Samantha Sweeney (Marlton, N.J.) led off with a bunt single. She then advanced on Nneka Cardoza's (Brockton, Mass) sacrifice bunt. After striking out shortstop Malissa Moczulski (Burlington, N.J.), Cox elected to walk Cyphert to put runners on first and second with two outs. Callaway followed with a bloop single over the third baseman's head, which scored Sweeney from second base and put Maryland on the board. Catcher Casey Leiter worked a full count against Cox and then walked to load the bases. With bases loaded and two out, Cox walked third baseman Crystal Rizzuto (San Leandro, Calif.) to put Maryland up 2-0.

North Carolina had opportunities to score in both the third and the seventh innings, but solid Terrapin defense prevented the team from doing so. In the third, the Tar Heels had a runner on first with one out when first baseman Jaclyn Holden doubled to left field. As baserunner Quinn Porter was heading to third, freshman left fielder Natalie Grossman (Skillman, N.J.) retrieved the ball and hit Moczulski in time for her to fire the ball to Rizzuto and tag out Porter at third.

The Tar Heels had another opportunity to score in the seventh. Cyphert (12-8) walked the lead-off hitter, but battled back to retire the next two batters. With two out, second baseman Megan Welch doubled to right. Pinch runner Jessica Young headed home on the play, only to be gunned down at the plate by Cardoza to end the game and preserve Cyphert's third shutout of the season.

Maryland dropped the second game, 5-1. Sophomore Jessica Aditays (Shrewsbury, Mass.) started game two for the Terps but came out in the second inning after third baseman Dionne Streete hit a screaming line drive off Aditays's hip. Head coach Gina LaMandre called Cyphert to the circle to finish out the inning. The Tar Heels went on to tag Cyphert for three runs in the inning and staked a 5-0 lead.

The Terps scored their only run of the game in the bottom of the second. With two outs, Grossman roped a double to left center. On the next play, Cox overthrew first base on what would have been a Tweedy ground out. Grossman scored on the play to set the score at 5-1.

Cyphert allowed seven hits and struck out four; the loss was awarded to Aditays (6-7). Cox came back strong in game two, fanning six batters and giving up only four hits.

Saturday's split against North Carolina marks the first time since 1997 that neither team swept the ACC regular season twinbill. The Terps will next take the field in a home doubleheader against George Washington's first-year softball program this Tuesday at 5 p.m.