May 7, 2005

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

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - In its regular season finale, the Maryland softball team shut out George Mason, 3-0 and 7-0, Saturday at the Terrapin Softball Complex. Leading the Terps to the Senior Day victories was Nikki Smith, who hit her second home run of the year and tallied four RBI on the day.

In game one, Maryland built an early lead after Nneka Cardoza blasted a leadoff double to the gap in left-center field and Crystal Tweedy reached first base on a bunt single. After a Lindsay Klein walk, Keri Lounge stepped up and singled up the middle to score two runs.

Still leading 2-0 later in the game, Nikki Smith hit a solo home run over the fence in left-center field to give the Terps their final lead of 3-0.

Leading Maryland in game one was Cardoza, who tallied two hits and extended her hit streak to nine games. Tweedy, Lounge, Crystal Rizzuto, Jessica Aditays and Jenny Belak also had hits.

In the pitcher's circle, senior Jessica Aditays collected her ninth win of the year with a complete-game, one-hit performance. She struck out eight batters and improved to 9-4 on the year. George Mason pitcher Arielle Weinkofsky was charged with the loss.

The Terrapin offense continued its rhythm into the second game, when Maryland again built a quick lead in the first inning. After back-to-back bunt singles by Cardoza and Tweedy, Lindsay Klein doubled down the left field line to score a run. Lounge followed Klein's double with one of her own, scoring another run and giving Maryland a 2-0 lead. Later in the inning, Nikki Smith tallied her second and third RBIs of the day with a double to left field.

Leading 4-0 in the third inning, Smith again came up with an RBI hit, this time with the bases loaded. Natalie Grossman and Jenny Belak also delivered RBI singles later in the inning for three more Maryland runs. For Smith, the three RBIs in game two was a new career-high.

Elyse Lucas, Crystal Crews and Abbey Welch all saw time in the pitcher's circle for Maryland (26-19) in game two, and Lucas got the win to improve to 5-4 on the year.

For George Mason (22-30), Straube was charged with the loss.

The doubleheader marked the last regular season home game for the five Terrapin seniors. Jessica Aditays, Nneka Cardoza, Lauren Pollock, Crystal Rizzuto and Crystal Tweedy were honored before the game.

Maryland is back in action at the ACC Tournament, where it will open play Thursday, May 12 at 5 p.m. The sixth-seeded Terrapins will face No. 3 seed Virginia at the Terrapin Softball Complex.