April 27, 2005

Box Score (Game 1) | Box Score (Game 2)

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland softball team won both games of a doubleheader against Towson at the Terrapin Softball Complex Wednesday night, 7-3 and 1-0. Jenny Belak led Maryland in game one with three hits and two runs scored, while Natalie Grossman hit a walk-off single in the 11th inning of the second game to give the Terrapins the win.

Belak and Crystal Tweedy led off the first inning of game one with back-to-back singles and Tweedy scored the first Terp run after Belak stole second. A Lindsay Klein single gave Maryland another baserunner, and Belak crossed the plate after a sacrifice bunt off the bat of Nikki Smith.

With the score tied 3-3 later in the game, Smith drove a double to left-center field, scoring Belak who had singled earlier in the inning and notching her second RBI of the game. Crystal Rizzuto extended the Terrapin lead with an RBI single and Abbey Welch followed with a single up the middle that scored two more runs and gave the sophomore the first RBIs of her career. The four-run fifth inning by Maryland was the difference in the game, as the Terps won by a final score of 7-3.

Belak finished game one 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored, an RBI and a stolen base. Klein had her ninth multiple hit game of the year with two singles, and Welch and Smith each tied career-highs with two RBI.

Jessica Aditays (7-3) got the win for Maryland, as she relieved Crystal Crews in the top of the fourth inning. Aditays allowed just one Towson hit and struck out nine for the victory. Jessica Wides was charged with the loss for Towson and went to 10-7 on the year.

Samantha Schaukowitch, Megan Zwoyer and Jenny Edwards all drove in runs for the Tigers.

In the second game, Maryland pitcher Abbey Welch allowed just three hits and matched a career-high eight strikeouts for the complete-game shutout victory. Her record improved to 7-4, while Towson pitcher Jessica Fisher dropped to 14-6 with the loss.

Looking to break a scoreless tie in the bottom of the 11th inning, Lauren Pollock started the Terp rally by reaching first base on a fielding error by Fisher. After Crystal Rizzuto singled to left field, the runners advanced to second and third base on a sacrifice bunt by Whitney Reigel. Pollock crossed home plate on a Natalie Grossman single and gave Maryland the 1-0 win.

Reigel got the first start of her career at second base, while Nikki Smith and Lindsay Klein led Maryland offensively with two hits each.

Maryland is back in action when it hosts its final ACC series of the year against Georgia Tech on Friday and Saturday. Friday night's doubleheader at the Terrapin Softball Complex is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m., while Saturday's single game will start at 1 p.m.

Fans should note that Saturday, April 30, is Maryland Day. Thousands of visitors will be taking advantage of the opportunity to visit campus. Parking is free on campus and the best lots to park in for the softball game are 4B (on the north side of Comcast Center) or other lots surrounding Comcast Center.