April 7, 2007
Box Score | Jackson's Walk-Off Home Run 
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
In their first nationally televised game of the season, Amber Jackson and the Maryland Terrapins showed they may deserve some primetime billing, as Jackson nailed a walk-off home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to seize game one of the series Saturday from the 19th ranked North Carolina Tar Heels, 3-2.
Maryland improved to 22-13 with the win, while Carolina fell to 36-10. For the Tar Heels, it was only the team's second loss in its last 31 games.
The game, which was broadcast across the country on CSTV, began on time, but the second half of the doubleheader, which was originally scheduled for 3 p.m. Saturday, has been moved to noon on Sunday. The series finale will immediately follow the completion of game two.
For Jackson, her 13th home run of the year was her biggest. It gave Maryland an important win over the ACC-leading Tar Heels, and the Terps' second win over a ranked opponent this season. Maryland previously beat Texas, then ranked 10th, 2-1 in February.
"Any time she hits the ball, she's going to hit it hard," said Maryland Coach Laura Watten. "She was really hungry today."
With the home run, Jackson took sole possesion of first place on the Terrapins all-time list for RBIs in a season, with 39.
Maryland also showed a mental toughness that allowed the team to maintain its focus and keep its composure through several huge swings in momentum.
North Carolina pitcher Lisa Norris (22-7), came out blazing and struck out eight of the first nine Terrapin batters she faced. Offensively, Carolina jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead behind a Jennifer Jacobs single in the top of the first which scored second baseman Cassie Palmer.
The Terps remained patient, and Jackson put a halt to the no-hitter with a single in the fourth inning after every Terrapin had faced Norris once.
"We were getting in the box not ready, and that's a mental thing," said Watten. "Hopefully tomorrow we can adjust sooner in the game."
The Terps looked to be in fine position with Jackson on third and Jenny Belak on second, but Norris recovered to retire the next to batters and strand the runners on base.
Maryland finally found its offense in the sixth inning when Stacey Jennings smashed a double to right center field, scoring Jackson from second base and tying the game at 1-all. Jennings advanced to third on the throw home, and scored on a double by Jennifer Wellborn whose ball barely stayed in play down the left field line.
Suddenly, the Terps, who had seemed helpless offensively for five innings, had a 2-1 lead, and it was the Tar Heels who needed a late rally.
Down to their last out in the seventh inning, the Heels stepped up. Casey Testa singled into left center field to score Anna Roberts from third base and the Terps' brief lead had evaporated.
Meredith Nelles came into pitch for Maryland, and promptly walked Jacobs to load the bases. The Terrapin ace kept her poise, however, and struck out Anna Evans swinging, to send the Heels back to the dugout. Nelles earned the win to improve to 12-5 on the season.
Maryland could not get the lead back in the bottom of the seventh, so the Terps headed into extra innings for the seventh time this season.
Jackson, up first in the bottom of the eighth, crushed the ball over the wall in left center as the home crowd and the Terrapin dug out exploded in an ecstatic celebration. Maryland improved to 5-2 in extra-inning games this season.
"The key was we never quit," said Watten. "We never gave up."
