Feb. 22, 2009

Box Score

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif - One game after beating No. 17/19 Nevada on Jennifer Anderson's walk-off home run, the University of Maryland softball team played another one of the nation's top teams competitively. This time, however, the Terrapins came up short, falling to No. 6/6 UCLA, 5-0, Sunday afternoon to conclude the Cathedral City Classic.

The Terrapins, who finished 3-3 in the prestigious 32-team tournament, remained in striking distance of the Bruins, a participant in the 2008 Women's College World Series, for much of Sunday's contest. Riding sophomore Kerry Hickey, a product of Huntingtown, Md., the Terps limited UCLA to a single run on six hits through the first five innings.

The Bruins, however, broke through for four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to put the game out of reach. Hickey (2-2), who made her team-leading ninth appearance and second start of the season, took the loss, despite holding the high-powered UCLA offense in check for much of the afternoon.

Sophomore Marisha Branson accounted for Maryland's best scoring opportunity when she led off the top of the seventh inning with a pinch-hit single.

Junior Megan Langenfeld (3-0) picked up the win for UCLA (12-2) after pitching seven strong innings. A trio of Bruins hit home runs, bringing their season total to 32.

Maryland concluded its four-day, six-game journey with wins over three west coast opponents - UC Santa Barbara, Hawai'i and Nevada. Sophomore Niki Lau tallied a team-high six hits during the tournament, while Hickey and senior Breanna Shaw added five apiece. Anderson had a team-high four RBIs, and senior Devon Williams drove in three. In the pitching circle, Hickey and senior Sarah Dooley compiled two and one victories, respectively.

The Terps (3-8) return to action next weekend when they participate in the Stetson University Tournament in Deland, Fla. Maryland opens the five-game tournament by taking on Centenary College at 1:30 p.m. Friday at Stetson's Patricia Wilson Field.

Maryland (3-8)      000 000 0 -  0  1  0
UCLA (12-2)         010 004 X -  5  9  0

LOB - Maryland 1; UCLA 6. 2B - Katie Schroeder. HR - Amanda Kamekona; Megan Langenfeld; Andrea Harrison. SB - Katie Schroeder; Lauren Mirabal; Marti Reed. W - Langenfeld (3-0). L - Kerry Hickey (2-2).