March 2, 2007
Central Michigan Box Score
New Mexico State Box Score
TAMPA, Fla.--The Maryland Terrapins were unable to muster enough offense to earn a sweep on their first day at the USF-Louisville Slugger Tournament. Maryland bested Central Michigan 3-2 in the opening game of the tournament Friday, but fell 3-1 to New Mexico State in the late game.
Against Central Michigan, the Terps jumped out to an early 3-0 lead on the strength of the bats of Sarde Stewart and Lindsay Klein, and Stacey Jennings held off the Chippewas for her first save of the season. Meredith Nelles improved to 4-2 on the year, while Ali Pettit took the loss for Central Michigan.
With Amber Jackson on second base with two outs on the board, Stewart hit a single into right field to drive home Jackson. Jennifer Wellborn was up to bat next, and hit a single of her own to left field to put runners on first and second.
Senior Lindsay Klein rocketed the ball to the wall in center field for a two-RBI double. Stewart and Wellborn scored on the play.
Meredith Nelles pitched four scoreless innings before two Central Michigan runners scored in the fifth inning after a Maryland error.
With the score still 3-2 in the top of the seventh, and Central Michigan's Katie Greenman on first, Jennings entered the game for Nelles. She struck out her first two batters, and Suzie Giroux, the Chippewas' last chance, popped out to shortstop.
Game two featured little offense for the first five innings. Stacey Jennings held New Mexico State to a season-low two hits in the game, but Aggie pitcher Kim Watson was equally strong from the circle, allowing only four hits with one run on the day.
Aggie second baseman Ashley Frisby broke open the scoreless game with a bomb over the left field wall that drove home catcher Stacey Lein, who was on first base after being walked.
Jackson responded in her next at-bat with a home run of her own, to bring the score to 2-1. The transfer from Bethune-Cookman now has five home runs on the season, all of which have come in the state of Florida.
In the top of the sixth, the Aggies put runners on first and third. Richelle Gastelum attempted to steal second base, and the throw from catcher Jennifer Wellborn sailed high and into center field. Gastelum slid safely into second, and Kristi Randall scored from third base, to give New Mexico State a 3-1 lead.
Maryland went three up and three down in the top of the seventh inning to end the game.
Jennings fell to 2-5 on the year with the loss, and Watson improved to 8-2. The Aggies improved to 13-4, the best start in the program's 33-year history.
Both games were delayed several hours due to the threat of thunderstorms in the area, but the rain never materialized. Thunderstorms are again forecast for Saturday. Check back on umterps.com for delays.
