April 16, 2005

Box Score

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The University of Maryland softball team defeated Florida State in game two of a Saturday doubleheader, 7-2, for its first win over the Seminoles since the 1999 season. Keri Lounge led all players with four RBI and hit her first triple of the year, while Jessica Aditays pitched the complete game victory for Maryland. The Terps broke a streak of 15-straight Florida State victories in the series, and improved to 20-13 (4-4 ACC) on the year.

Aditays pitched seven innings, allowing six hits and two runs while striking out six. The senior's record went to 6-3, while Seminole pitcher Tiffany McDonald took the loss and went to 13-5.

Aditays was productive at the plate as well, as her lead-off double to right-center field in the top of the third inning started a three-run Terrapin rally. After Crystal Tweedy singled up the middle to advance Aditays to third base, she stole second base. Jenny Belak was up next and reached first base on a fielding error by the Seminoles' pitcher, McDonald. With the bases loaded, Nneka Cardoza and Lindsay Klein hit back-to-back RBI singles to give Maryland a 2-0 lead and Keri Lounge knocked in another run with a sacrifice fly.

Maryland's 3-0 lead was challenged in the bottom of the fourth inning when Florida State had runners at second and third base with one out. The Terps' defense showed its strength, however, when Keri Lounge threw home on a fielder's choice for an out and Aditays got Brittany Osmon to pop up.

The Terps put four more runs on the scoreboard in the seventh inning. Jenny Belak hit a one-out infield single and Nneka Cardoza followed with her second hit of the day - a bunt single. After Lindsay Klein walked, Keri Lounge stepped up and blasted her first triple of the year to right-center field, scoring three runs. Lounge scored on the next play, as Nikki Smith singled to add another run.

Leading 7-0 going into the bottom of the seventh inning, Maryland allowed two Seminole runs but won by a final score of 7-2.

Crystal Crews got her first hit as a Terrapin, while Nneka Cardoza and Nikki Smith each had multiple-hit games.

In the doubleheader with the Seminoles, Lounge finished with a .600 batting average, four RBI, a double and a triple. Smith, meanwhile, finished the day 4-for-7 (.571) with an RBI.

With the loss, Florida State fell to 26-18 (7-6 ACC).

The three-game series concludes Sunday with a 1 p.m. game at the Seminole Softball Complex (JoAnne Graf Field). Gametracker and live audio can be accessed at www.umterps.com.