Feb. 8, 2009

Box Score

BOCA RATON, Fla. - Freshman pitcher Kendra Knight threw a one-hitter with 10 strikeouts through five innings but it was not enough for the University of Maryland softball team, which fell to Pittsburgh, 4-0, Sunday to close out the 2009 Florida Atlantic Kick-Off Classic.

Knight, a Virginia Beach, Va., native making her third career appearance, did not allow an earned run and held the Panthers to a single hit. Her 10 strikeouts are the most by a Maryland pitcher since former Terrapin Meredith Nelles also registered 10 versus Columbia on March 9, 2008. Knight and fellow pitcher Kerry Hickey, making her team-best fourth relief appearance, combined to limit Pittsburgh to one hit in six innings of work.

Maryland outhit Pittsburgh 9 to 1, as its 2-3-4-5 hitters each reached base multiple times. Outfielder Niki Lau, infielder Breanna Shaw and Hickey each collected two hits apiece. Infielder Devon Williams added a single and a walk for the Terps. The Panthers, however, managed four unearned runs to claim victory in the tournament finale for both teams.

For Hickey, the team's leading returning hitter from a year ago, her success at the plate has continued in the early going of 2009. Through the first five games of the season, the Huntingtown, Md., native is batting .471 (8-for-17) with a pair of multi-hit games.

Maryland's best scoring opportunity came in the top of the second inning, when it loaded the bases on singles by Hickey, Williams and outfielder Nadine Blackie. The Terps also threatened during the third and seventh innings, collecting a pair of hits in both. Pittsburgh scored its first run in the bottom of the fifth inning to break a scoreless tie. Alyssa O'Connell earned the victory for the Panthers.

The Terps (0-5) return to action Feb. 19 when they participate in the Cathedral City Classic in Palm Springs. Calif. Maryland opens with UC Santa Barbara and will also play Hawaii, Fresno State, California, Nevada and UCLA during the four-day tournament.

Maryland        000 000 0 -  0  9  3
Pittsburgh      000 013 X -  4  1  2

DP - Pittsburgh 2. LOB - Maryland 10; Pittsburgh 5. SH - Breanna Shaw; Nadine Blackie; Amanda Heitmeier; Alicia Broudy. SF - Niki Cognigni. SB - Reba Tutt; Sam Card; Katelyn West 2; Ashley Amistade. CS - Devon Williams. W - Alyssa O'Connell. L - Kendra Knight.