Feb. 27, 2009

Box Score

DELAND, Fla. - Shortstop Alex Schultz has developed a reputation as a standout defensive player, but Friday evening she proved the difference-maker at the plate for the University of Maryland softball team, helping the Terps edge host Stetson, 3-2, and conclude the first day of the Stetson Hatter Classic at 2-0.

In a pitching-dominated game that featured just four singles by both teams, Schultz, a junior from Westcliffe, Colo., provided the most important base hit. With the game knotted at 2-2 and Terrapin baserunners at second and third, Schultz delivered a two-out RBI single to center field to score senior Breanna Shaw and account for the margin of victory.

Schultz's timely hit proved the game-winner thanks in large part to Kerry Hickey, a sophomore from Huntingtown, Md. Making her Atlantic Coast Conference-leading eighth relief appearance of the season, Hickey pitched 4.2 scoreless innings, recording five strikeouts. The two-way player mowed down the Hatters in order in both the sixth and seventh innings to secure her fourth victory of 2009 - which ties her win total from a season ago.

Hickey (4-2) closed the first day of the Stetson Hatter Classic having earned a pair of victories after pitching a combined 10 innings, striking out 10 and allowing only two earned runs.

Shaw followed up her 3-for-4 effort in the tournament-opening win over Centenary College by contributing a perfect performance at the plate versus the Hatters. Shaw collected a pair of hits and also drew a walk to improve her team-leading batting average to .389.

The Terrapins (5-8) and Hatters traded runs in both the first and third innings, as Maryland tallied an unearned run in their first at bat. Hickey reached base on an error in the first inning, advanced to second on Shaw's single and scored on another error.

Maryland relied on heads-up baserunning to plate another run in the bottom of the third. Sophomore Niki Lau drew a one-out walk and junior Nadine Blackie slapped a single to right field to place runners on the corners. When Blackie, the Terps' leading base stealer, proceeded to get caught stealing at second base, Lau capitalized by crossing home plate to tie the game.

Freshman Kendra Knight started and pitched the first 2.1 innings for the Terps Friday evening, recording all but one of her outs via strikeout while allowing two earned runs. Senior Erica Demmers (4-4) took the loss for Stetson (7-9) despite going the distance on the mound.

Maryland resumes play in the Stetson Hatter Classic with a pair of games Saturday. The Terps face Southeastern Conference foe Kentucky at 11 a.m. followed by a rematch with Centenary College at 1:30 p.m. Live stats for both games will be available at the following link: Hatter Classic Live Stats

Stetson (7-9)       101 000 0 -  2  4  2
Maryland (5-8)      101 100 X -  3  4  0