April 8, 2007

Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland softball team dropped two games to nineteenth ranked North Carolina on Easter Sunday, 4-0 and 7-2, a day after earning a dramatic win in game one of the series. The Tar Heels left College Park with a 2-1 series win, and maintain their hold on sole possession of first place in the ACC standings.

The Terrapins recorded 15 hits on the day, but only managed two runs, both of which came on a home run by Jennifer Wellborn in game two. Maryland fell to 22-14 and 4-5 in the conference, while the Heels improved to 38-10 and 10-2 in ACC play. Carolina has won 31 of its past 33 games.

North Carolina got off to a quick start in both games, scoring seven runs combined in the opening innings. In game one, Jennifer Jacobs ushered in the scoring for the Heels, with a two-run homer to right field with two outs on the board.

Five Terrapins recorded hits in the first game, but Maryland fell 4-0. Cassie Palmer also homered for the Heels.

The series finale began with an offensive explosion for the Tar Heels, as Anna Evans stepped up to the plate in the first inning with the Heels already up 2-0. The shortstop hit the first of her two home runs with a three-run shot over the center field wall to give North Carolina a 5-0 lead.

Tar Heel pitchers Danielle Spaulding (3-0) and Lisa Norris (23-7) were effective but not spectacular, fanning a combined 12 batters, but allowing just as many hits. Meredith Nelles took the loss for Maryland in game one to fall to 12-6 on the season, while Stacey Jennings dropped to 7-8 after taking the game two defeat.

Trailing 5-0 in game two, the Terps found some offensive in the third inning when Wellborn crushed a ball over the right field fence to score Jenny Belak who had doubled to start the inning.

Maryland would get no closer, however, and Carolina got home runs from Emily Troup and Evans to push the lead to five.