March 14, 2009

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COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The ball sailed off Kathy McLaughlin's bat down the left field line, landed just inside the white chalk and careened into the corner for an easy two-bagger. That two-out RBI hit in the seventh inning proved the difference between victory and defeat for the University of Maryland softball team, and it also provided redemption for the team's sophomore outfielder.

The Terrapins edged Delaware, 4-3, during second-day action in the Maryland Invitational Saturday afternoon, as McLaughlin's timely hit with her team facing a 3-2 deficit sent senior Devon Williams and junior Alex Schultz to the plate. Maryland fell 6-2 to Fordham during its second game Saturday, but McLaughlin already had done more than enough to atone for an earlier base-running mistake.

With Maryland clinging to a 1-0 lead in the top of the sixth inning, McLaughlin led off with a triple to left center and looked poised to provide the Terps with an insurance run. However, the Baltimore native was tagged out at third base during the ensuing ball-in-play, and Delaware countered with three runs of its own in the bottom of the sixth to set the stage for McLaughlin's last-inning heroics.

Senior Sarah Dooley (4-5) earned her second win in as many days by pitching yet another complete game, her fourth of the season. The right-hander gave up three earned runs in seven innings, shutting down the Blue Hens 1-2-3 in the bottom of the seventh after McLaughlin's hit gave Maryland the lead. Dooley's performance was good for her 20th career victory.

Dooley did not allow a baserunner until the fifth inning, enabling Maryland (12-11) to claim an early 1-0 advantage in the second. Michelle Takeda was hit by a pitch and took second on a sacrifice bunt by Lydia Fowler. The freshman outfielder then scored on a single by Williams.

Maryland added another run during its half of the sixth, when Kerry Hickey's double to right center scored fellow sophomore Niki Lau. During the first three games of the Maryland Invitational, Hickey has compiled four hits, including two doubles, to go along with a pair of RBIs and runs.

McLaughlin, who has three hits and four RBIs of her own during the tournament, accounted for the remainder of Maryland's runs during the seventh inning.

The Terps continued to flex their collective muscles during their ensuing loss to Fordham, as junior Nadine Blackie and Takeda connected on solo home runs during the fourth inning. For Takeda, it was her second home run of the Maryland Invitational and her team-leading fifth of the season. For Blackie, a transfer from Pensacola Junior College, it marked her first time going deep as a member of the Terrapins.

Freshman Kendra Knight took the loss for the Terps after allowing three earned runs in three innings of work against the Rams (13-8). Fordham freshman Jen Mineau (6-4) went the distance for the win.

The Terrapins conclude the Maryland Invitational Sunday with two more games in Robert E. Taylor Stadium. Maryland plays host to Mount St. Mary's at 3 p.m. followed by its first-ever meeting with Howard at 5 p.m. Each Maryland Invitational matchup is free to the public. Free parking is available in Lot 4B all day Sunday.

Maryland (12-10)   010 001 2 -  4  6  0
Delaware (2-6)     000 003 0 -  3  4  0

LOB - Maryland 3; Delaware 1. 2B - Kerry Hickey; Kathy McLaughlin; Shanette White. 3B - Kathy McLaughlin. HBP - Michelle Takeda; Alex Schultz. SH - Lydia Fowler. W - Sarah Dooley (4-5). L - Amanda Stacevicz (0-4).

Maryland (12-11)   010 310 1 -  6  5  0
Fordham (13-8)     000 200 0 -  1  6  2

LOB - Fordham 5; Maryland 3. 2B - Mary Beth Puccio; Alex Schultz. HR - Mary Beth Puccio; Jocelyn Dearborn; Nadine Blackie; Michelle Takeda. HBP - Kathy McLaughlin. SB - Sarah Campbell. W - Jen Mineau (6-4). L - Kendra Knight (1-4).