April 16, 2005

Box Score

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Lesley Palmer's RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning broke a scoreless tie and lifted Florida State to a 1-0 extra-inning victory over the University of Maryland softball team Saturday afternoon at JoAnne Graf Field. Keri Lounge and Nikki Smith had two hits each, while Crystal Crews pitched well in defeat for the Terrapins, who went to 19-13 (3-4 ACC) on the year.

Crews went the distance for Maryland, pitching a complete game with no earned runs and five strikeouts. The junior dropped to 4-3 on the season, while Seminole pitcher Casey Hunter got the win and improved to 14-12.

The first Maryland hit came off the bat of Lounge, who singled through the left side in the top of the third inning. Smith followed with a single of her own, but Lauren Pollock popped up to shortstop to end the inning and possible scoring chance.

Missed opportunities were the story of the game, as Maryland and Florida State (26-17, 7-5 ACC) combined to strand 22 runners on base. The Terps got their best opportunity in the top of the sixth, after Lounge knocked a double to right-center field. Smith followed up with a base hit and advanced Lounge to third with no outs, but the next three Terrapin batters flied out, grounded out and popped up, respectively.

Maryland's defense also helped preserve the scoreless tie through seven innings, led by Nneka Cardoza. The shortstop put together another solid performance, while Natalie Grossman's diving catch in center field helped stop a Seminole rally in the eighth inning.

In the bottom of the ninth, Florida State third baseman Lesley Palmer drove in left fielder Natasha Jacob, who had reached on a Terrapin fielding error, to give the Seminoles a 1-0 victory.

Florida State has now won 15-straight games against the Terps and leads the all-time series, 26-3.

Maryland and Florida State continue the three-game series with the second game of a doubleheader at JoAnne Graf Field Saturday.