Feb. 20, 2009
Box Score
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. -
The University of Maryland softball team narrowly missed earning its first victory of the season over a ranked opponent, falling to No. 14 Fresno State, 2-1, Friday evening during both team's second day of action in the Cathedral City Classic.
Sophomore Kerry Hickey pitched four scoreless innings of relief and scored Maryland's lone run after extending her hit streak to eight games, but the Bulldogs prevailed thanks to a complete game by sophomore pitcher Morgan Melloh.
With Fresno State leading 2-0 after three innings, the Maryland offense showed signs of finding its stride during the bottom of the fourth inning, as Hickey singled with one out, advanced to second on a base hit by junior Alex Schultz and scored on a Bulldog error.
One game removed from a complete game three-hitter, senior Sarah Dooley (1-3) started and pitched the first three innings for the Terps, allowing just one earned run and two runs overall on three hits. When the Bulldogs loaded the bases and appeared poised to have a big inning in their half of the third, Dooley induced Fresno State's Haley Gilleland to pop out to senior Breanna Shaw at second base to end the threat.
Hickey pitched the final four innings, limiting the Bulldogs to six base runners in lowering her ERA to 1.62 in six appearances this season. The Huntingtown, Md., native, who enjoyed an 11-game hit streak a year ago from Feb. 16 to March 5, has hit safely in each of the Terps' first eight games in 2009.
Sophomore Niki Lau accounted for her sixth base hit of the season in the third inning, and junior Nadine Blackie registered her team-leading third walk.
Melloh (3-1) picked up the victory for Fresno State (4-2) after keeping Maryland (2-6) in check at the plate. Haley Perkins batted 3-for-4 to lead the Bulldogs' offense.
The Terps return to action Saturday with a pair of games on the third of four days at the Cathedral City Classic. Maryland takes on No. 9/10 California at 3:30 p.m. before facing No. 17/19 Nevada at 11 p.m. Both games will take place at the Big League Dreams Sports Park in Cathedral City, Calif.
Fresno State (4-2) 101 000 0 - 2 8 3
Maryland (2-6) 000 100 0 - 1 3 2
LOB - Fresno State 11; Maryland 4. 2B - Haley Perkins, 2. HBP - Haley Gilleland. SH - Devon Williams. W - Morgan Melloh (3-1). L - Sarah Dooley (1-3).
