March 11, 2005

Box Score

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Southern Illinois pitcher Cassidy Scoggins hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning, breaking a tie and giving the Salukis a 3-1 victory over the University of Maryland softball team Friday night at the Florida State Invitational. Terp hurler Crystal Crews, making her first appearance of the 2005 season, gave up just four hits and struck out five batters, and Nikki Smith drove in the Terps' run.

Southern Illinois jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on a hit by Katie Jordan.

Jenny Belak had the Terps' first hit in the top of the third, a bunt single. The freshman then stole her fourth base of the year, but Maryland could not convert the scoring opportunity.

From there, Crews and Scoggins were impressive, as Southern Illinois' slim 1-0 lead held up until the seventh inning.

The Terrapin rally that tied the game began with a Keri Lounge walk, followed by a Crystal Rizzuto single to right-center field. The next batter, Nikki Smith, stepped up and knocked a single to center field, scoring freshman Meghan Booth who had entered the game to run for Lounge. With the two hits, Maryland evened the game at 1-1.

Scoggins walk-off homer in the seventh inning gave the Salukis the victory and made the final score 3-1.

With the loss, Crews went to 0-1 on the season, while Scoggins improved to 4-2. Maryland is now 5-7 on the season and Southern Illinois is 10-7.

The Terps continue action at the Florida State Invitational with games against Florida A&M (1 p.m.) and Troy State (3 p.m.) Saturday at Messler Park.