March 6, 2005

Box Score

ATHENS, Ga. - Despite defeating 13th-ranked Georgia the day before to advance to the championship game of the Red and Black Challenge, the Terrapin softball team fell in the rematch Sunday afternoon, dropping a 5-0 decision to the Bulldogs.

Georgia jumped out to an early 2-0 lead off of four hits, including doubles by Courtney Knight and Jessica Doucette. The Bulldogs added a run in the top of the fourth inning and two in the sixth to increase their lead to 5-0.

Georgia pitcher Michelle Green (6-2) was working a no-hitter until the bottom of the sixth inning, when Terp catcher Nikki Smith led off with a single through the left side. After a Terrapin strikeout, Crystal Tweedy slapped an infield single to third base, but the Bulldogs were able to end the inning with another strikeout and a foul out.

The threat in the sixth inning was the last scoring chance for the Terrapins, as they fell by a final score of 5-0. Terp first baseman Lindsay Klein, despite reaching base in the seventh inning on an error by Georgia third baseman Jessica Doucette, failed to notch a hit and saw her nine-game hit streak snapped.

Abbey Welch was charged with the loss for the Terps and her record went to 3-2 on the year, while Green improved to 6-2.

For the five games of the tournament, the Terps were led by Crystal Tweedy (.308 BA, 2 RBI), Lindsay Klein (1 HR, 5 hits, 3 RBI) and Nneka Cardoza (.286 BA, 3 R, 3 RBI).

Maryland is now 4-6 on the season, while Georgia improved to 14-7.

Maryland opens its home season at the Terrapin Softball Complex on Wednesday, March 9, when the Terrapins host the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore in a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. and Gametracker is available at www.umterps.com.