May 6, 2003
Game 1 | Game 2
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
Maryland (26-16, 1-7 ACC) wrapped up its regular season schedule Tuesday night with a pair of wins against local rival UMBC (39-20, 19-3 NEC) to complete its fourth consecutive doubleheader sweep. The Terps did some heavy hitting in game one, winning 8-0 in the fifth inning due to the mercy rule. Game two's 2-0 affair was won on solid defense and strong pitching.
In game one, Maryland starter Monica Cyphert (Warren, Ohio) held the NCAA's 12th best hitting team to two hits. The Terp bats heated up early, securing two runs in the first off back-to-back singles by sophomore middle infielders Nneka Cardoza (Brockton, Mass.) and Malissa Moczulski (Burlington, N.J.) and a two-out two-RBI double by Jillian Callaway (Brandywine, Md.)
The Terrapin lineup exploded in the fourth, tagging UMBC starter Amy Sadowl (17-7) for six runs. The rally started with a one-out walk by Casey Leiter (Lake Stevens, Wash.). Third baseman Crystal Rizzuto (San Leandro, Calif.) followed with a single to the right side of the field that advanced Leiter to third. Rizzuto swiped second to put two runners in scoring position. Freshman left fielder Natalie Grossman (Skillman, N.J.) knocked in a run on a bunt single to put Maryland ahead, 3-0. With runners on first and third, Crystal Tweedy (Dumfries, Va.) laid down a bunt single to load the bases. Samantha Sweeney (Marlton, N.J.) crushed a pitch into right field to score both Grossman and Rizzuto. The speedy Sweeney motored around the bases and was nipping at the heels of Tweedy on her way to third. Retrievers' right fielder Sarah Crowell threw the ball home to prevent Tweedy from scoring. Tweedy stayed at third to avoid being tagged out, but Sweeney had to retreat to second and got caught in a rundown for the second out of the inning. Cardoza and Moczulski followed the play with back-to-back RBI triples to put the game out of reach at 8-0.
Cyphert (15-8) struck out five in the win after coming off an ankle injury suffered during a slide into second against Maryland-Eastern Shore.
Game two had a completely different feel to it and was won on smart base running and clutch pitching. Sophomore Jessica Aditays (Shrewsbury, Mass.) got the start for the Terps but left the game with no outs in the fifth inning with runners on first and second. Cyphert came into the game in relief and halted the Retrievers' chances at a comeback after striking out UMBC's top hitter, third baseman Kristie Pickeral. She then forced a pop-up and fanned second baseman Christy Sheppard to close out the threat.
The Terps picked up their first run in the second inning. Callaway led off the inning with a single to left and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Leiter. With two outs, Grossman singled up the middle to knock home Callaway. Maryland added another run in the sixth after capitalizing on a pair of UMBC's fielding miscues. Cyphert led off the inning with a double and was replaced on the base paths by pinch runner Jen Peel (St. Leonard, Md.). Peel advanced to third on a sac bunt by Leiter. Pinch hitter Lauren Pollock (Severna Park, Md.) walked and was replaced on first on a game re-entry by Rizzuto. The Retrievers could've ended the inning on a foul pop-up by Grossman, but catcher Christina French dropped the ball and gave Maryland new life. On the following play, Rizzuto attempted to steal second and was called safe after the ball was dropped on the tag. Peel charged home from third on the play and scored what would be Maryland's final run in the 2-0 win.
Maryland ends a very successful two week home stand after going 11-12 and winning eight straight games. The Terps will head to Tallahassee, Fla. at the end of the week for the ACC Tournament. Maryland, the fifth seed in the tournament, will take on fourth seed Virginia at 3 p.m. Friday. The Cavaliers swept the Terps three weekends ago in Charlottesville, 3-0 and 5-1.
