March 21, 2009
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COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
Junior Nadine Blackie belted a two-run home run and freshman Kendra Knight pitched 3.1 solid innings in relief, but the University of Maryland softball team fell short against No. 18 North Carolina during a doubleheader Saturday afternoon to open Atlantic Coast Conference play. The Tar Heels won 7-0 and 10-2 decisions in Robert E. Taylor Stadium.
With the Terrapins trailing 1-0 in the second inning of game two, Blackie launched North Carolina pitcher Lisa Norris' offering into the netting beyond the wall in straight-away center field. The blast scored senior Devon Williams, who had tripled to the wall in right center two batters prior and jarred the ball loose with her slide during an attempted tag at third base.
For Blackie, a Delta, British Columbia, native, the two-run shot represented her second homer and her sixth extra-base hit (two home runs, two triples and two doubles) of the season. Williams tied for fourth on Maryland's all-time list with the third triple of her career and her first since the 2007 season.
Knight, a right-hander from Virginia Beach, Va., relieved starter Sarah Dooley and pitched the final 3.1 innings of Saturday's second game, allowing just one earned run with four strikeouts. Entering the weekend leading the ACC in fewest hits allowed, Knight held the Tar Heels hitless in her second relief appearance of the afternoon.
Maryland (14-13, 0-2 ACC) mounted scoring threats in both the third and seventh innings. Freshman Kathy McLaughlin led off the third inning with a double, and the Terps loaded the bases in the seventh, as Blackie and freshman Michelle Takeda drew walks and McLaughlin reached on an error.
Dooley (6-6) took the loss in the second game after pitching the first 3.2 innings. Norris (12-4) pitched a complete game to claim the victory for North Carolina (25-7, 3-2 ACC).
During Saturday's first game, senior Breanna Shaw contributed a pair of base hits, but Maryland was unable to cross the plate against North Carolina pitcher Danielle Spaulding, the reigning ACC Player of the Year.
Sophomore Kerry Hickey (7-3) pitched 5.1 innings in a losing effort, and Knight took the circle for the final 1.2 innings.
Spaulding, who homered during both games to pace the Tar Heels' offense, improved to 9-2 on the season after going the distance on the mound.
The Terrapins and Tar Heels conclude their three-game series with a 1 p.m. matchup Sunday in Robert E. Taylor Stadium. The game is free to the public and parking is available in Lots 4B and 9B.
North Carolina (25-7, 3-2 ACC) 015 300 1 - 10 7 2
Maryland (14-13, 0-2 ACC) 020 000 0 - 2 6 1
LOB - North Carolina 9; Maryland 9. 2B -
Kathy McLaughlin. 3B -
Devon Williams. HR - Danielle Spaulding;
Nadine Blackie. HBP - Brittany McKinney;
Niki Lau. SB - Breanna Brown; Anna Roberts; Brittany Robinson;
Alex Schultz. CS -
Marisha Branson. W -
Lisa Norris (12-4). L -
Sarah Dooley (6-6).
North Carolina (24-7, 2-2 ACC) 302 000 2 - 7 10 0
Maryland (14-12, 0-1 ACC) 000 000 0 - 0 2 0
LOB - North Carolina 8; Maryland 6. 2B Brittany McKinney; Anna Roberts; Emily Troup; Constance Orr. HR - Danielle Spaulding. HBP -
Niki Lau. SH - Breanna Brown. SF - Constance Orr. SB - Dani Manko;
Breanna Shaw. W - Danielle Spaulding (9-2). L -
Kerry Hickey (7-3).
