Maryland Invitational Schedule

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The wind was whirling Wednesday evening in Robert E. Taylor Stadium, but the University of Maryland softball team remained as steady as ever. Kerry Hickey pitched five solid innings and six different batters recorded an RBI as the Terps bested local rival Towson, 7-3, to even their season record.

Unfazed by blustery conditions, Hickey allowed just one earned run while striking out six to improve her record to 7-2 and lower her ERA to 2.01. The sophomore from Huntingtown, Md., registered her first four outs via strikeout and scattered five hits. That performance proved more than adequate for Maryland (10-10), which has won seven of its last nine games, including three in a row.

The Terrapin offense was equally efficient against the Tigers, tallying 10 hits without a single strikeout. Junior Nadine Blackie and sophomore Niki Lau had two hits apiece. Lau, senior Breanna Shaw, junior Lydia Fowler, sophomore Jennifer Anderson and freshmen Vangie Galindo and Michelle Takeda each drove in a run for the Terps, who racked up five runs during the first two innings.

After Towson (8-5) platted a run during its half of the first, Maryland responded with three of its own during the bottom half of the inning. Lau and Blackie led off the innings with consecutive singles, with Lau scoring on Shaw's team-leading fifth double of the season. Takeda's base hit produced her team-best 11th RBI one batter later, and Maryland added a third run on an RBI groundout by Fowler.

Maryland picked up where it left off in the second inning, when junior Alex Schultz led off by smashing a double over the left fielder's head and freshman Kathy McLaughlin followed with a single. The team then demonstrated its ability to be opportunistic on the basepaths, as Schultz and McLaughlin executed a double-steal to perfection, with Schultz stealing home. Lau's second hit in as many at-bats enabled McLaughlin to score as well.

The Terps tacked on two more runs in the fifth inning thanks to a pair of pinch hitters providing a spark. Anderson drove a double to deep center field to score Takeda, and Galindo added an RBI single.

Freshman Kendra Knight relieved Hickey and pitched the final two innings to seal the victory for Maryland. Junior Shannon Johnston (4-2) suffered the loss for the Tigers after allowing eight hits and five earned runs in a single inning of work.

The Terrapins return to action this weekend when they play host to the Maryland Invitational in Robert E. Taylor Stadium. Maryland's six-team, 15-game tournament brings Delaware, Fordham, Howard, Mount St. Mary's and Seton Hall to College Park. Maryland opens the tournament bearing its namesake at 3 p.m. Friday against Seton Hall. The Terps take on Delaware (1 p.m.) and Fordham (3 p.m.) Saturday and finishes Sunday against Mount St. Mary's (3 p.m.) and Howard (5 p.m.).

Each tournament game is free to the public. Free parking is available in Lot 4B starting at noon Friday and all day Saturday and Sunday.

Towson  (8-5)        101 000 1 -   3  6  0
Maryland  (10-10)    320 020 X -   7 10  1