Feb. 18, 2007
Final Stats
BOCA RATON, Fla. - The Terrapins came up just short in their bid to upset 14th ranked Michigan and win the championship game of the FAU Dunkin' Donuts Classic. The Terps fought the Wolverines to a 1-1 tie until the bottom of the seventh inning, when Stacey Jennings walked Rebekah Milian with the bases loaded, giving Michigan a 2-1 win when Roya St. Clair crossed home plate.
Still, it was a successful weekend for the Terps, who earned a second-place finish in the tournament by virtue of their 3-2 record. Between their games with Michigan, Maryland defeated East Carolina, St. John's and Long Island by a combined score of 21-3.
The Terrapins proved they could hang with the Wolverines as well, as they played Michigan evenly throughout most of both games.
"Once we get over that hump, it will be a wide open field," said Head Coach Laura Watten. "We were a different team on Sunday than we were on Friday, and that's how you want opening weekends to go." The Terrapins lost 6-1 to Michigan in the opening go around, but fought gamely in the championship game before losing in the final inning.
Sunday's championship game featured a pitching duel between Michigan ace Lorilyn Wilson, and sophomore Meredith Nelles who had won her first two games of the year. In the end, the Terps could not solve Wilson, who was brilliant from the pitcher's circle with 13 strikeouts.
Maryland was able to stay in the game, however, on the strength of Nelles pitching, and a superb defensive effort that limited the Wolverines to one run until the final play of the seventh inning, with two outs on the board.
"She's building a lot of confidence and learning so much as a player," said Watten of Nelles, who had undergone surgery on a bulging disk in her back during the fall season.
In Michigan's first at-bat, Alessandra Giampaolo doubled with a deep hit to left center field. After a sacrifice bunt by Milian, moved Giampaolo to third, Samantha Findlay singled to center field to drive in the run and give the Wolverines a 1-0 lead.
The lead did not last long, however. Maryland's Keri Lounge opened up the second inning with a home run into the parking lot over the left field fence, tying the game at one apiece.
Pitching and defense would dominate the next five innings for both teams, and several Terps made spectacular catches to prevent Michigan from pulling ahead.
Teddi Ewing appeared to reach first base on a shot into left center field which flew over the shortstop's head, but center fielder Alex Schultz, running at a full sprint, dove forward and made the catch just above the ground.
St. Clair, batting next, hit the ball deep into left field, but Jennifer Wellborn ran towards the fence and stopped the hit with an outstretched left hand.
In the sixth inning, with Michigan's Milian already on first base, Samantha Findlay hit a line drive directly at third baseman Lindsey Ubrun. Ubrun instinctively raised her glove, and held onto the ball even as she staggered backwards from the force of the hit.
In the seventh inning, after St. Clair reached first base on a fielder's choice, and Amanda Findlay singled up the middle to place runners on first and second. Jennings came in for Nelles, but Giampaolo and Milian walked to end the game.
Wilson earned her third win of the tournament, while Nelles was credited with her first loss of the year.
According to Watten, the team is moving in the right direction. "We showed character and chemistry," she said. "It's going to be exciting to see them grow and move on from here."
