Feb. 20, 2005

Box Score

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The Maryland softball team fell to sixth-ranked Alabama in the championship game of the Crimson Classic, 5-0, Sunday afternoon in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Terps were in the title game as the No. 4 seed after defeating top seed Missouri Saturday and were looking for their second victory of the year.

With the win, the Crimson Tide improves to 15-1 on the season, while Maryland is now 1-4 after the season-opening tournament at the Alabama Softball Stadium.

The Terps fell behind early, as Alabama took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning following Jordan Praytor's triple to left-center field. The next batter, Stephanie VanBrakle, singled to right field to drive in Praytor and give the Crimson Tide the one-run lead.

Alabama added to its lead in the bottom of the second inning, notching three runs on three hits. With the Tide leading 4-0, the Terrapins made a pitching change, as Jessica Aditays entered the game to relieve starter Abbey Welch. Welch was credited with the loss and her record is an even 1-1 in 2005.

Left fielder Crystal Tweedy posted the Terps' first hit of the game in the top of the third inning, a single to left field. The Terps didn't capitalize on the opportunity, however, and the Tide lead remained 4-0.

In the bottom of the third inning, Aditays walked Capper Reed and Dominique Accetturo tripled down the right field line to drive in Reed and extend the Crimson Tide lead to 5-0.

Terp first baseman Lindsay Klein continued her impressive weekend hit streak in the top of the fourth inning, singling through the right side. Klein has had a hit in each of the Terps' first five games and is hitting a team-high .438. Sophomore Keri Lounge, who also had an outstanding offensive weekend, followed Klein's single with one of her own to give the Terps two base runners with one out. Alabama pitcher Jennifer Wright (5-0) got a strikeout and groundout, however, to end the inning.

Klein finished the day 2-for-3 at the plate and posted her second multiple-hit game of the year. For her weekend efforts, she was named to the Crimson Classic All-Tournament team. Joining Klein on the team was Crystal Tweedy, who played five errorless games in left field for the Terps and hit .364.

Maryland has a week off before heading to the Red and Black Challenge in Athens, Ga., from March 4-6. The Terps are scheduled to face host Georgia, as well as UNC Greensboro, Oakland and Radford.