March 22, 2009
Box Score
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
Pitchers Kendra Knight and Kerry Hickey combined on a three-hitter, but the University of Maryland softball team was edged by No. 18 North Carolina, 2-1, Sunday afternoon in Robert E. Taylor Stadium to conclude the Terps' Atlantic Coast Conference-opening series.
Making the 10th start of her career, Knight, a freshman from Virginia Beach, Va., kept the high-powered North Carolina lineup in check, holding the Tar Heels to a pair of unearned runs in four innings. Knight, who has limited opposing batters to a .173 average this season, scattered three hits and struck out two.
After two unearned runs scored in the top of the fourth inning, Knight buckled down to strike out North Carolina senior Breanna Brown and escape a bases-loaded jam without further damage. Knight also benefitted from solid defense in the second inning, as senior Devon Williams gobbled up three hard-hit grounders at third base to assist on each out.
Hickey relieved Knight and pitched three scoreless innings to close the game. The sophomore from Huntingtown, Md., was sharp in her conference-best 20th appearance of the season, retiring all nine batters she faced in order.
Down 2-0 in the sixth inning, the Terrapins (14-14, 0-3 ACC) mounted a rally to plate a run. Freshman Kathy McLaughlin led off the inning with a single and advanced to second on a throwing error. After junior Nadine Blackie followed with a base hit to right field and stole second to put runners on second and third, senior Breanna Shaw provided a clutch RBI single up the middle to cut the deficit in half.
Williams accounted for Maryland's other hit off reigning ACC Player of the Year Danielle Spaulding when she notched a bunt single during the fifth inning. The senior from Cleveland, N.C., batted .375 (3-for-8) during the three-game series with the Tar Heels.
Knight (1-5) took the loss despite her solid effort in the pitchers' circle. Spaulding (11-1) earned the victory for North Carolina (26-7, 4-2 ACC) after surrendering all four hits in six innings of work. Senior Lisa Norris pitched the final inning for the Tar Heels for her second save of the season.
Maryland returns to action by playing host to a midweek contest with No. 12/14 Northwestern. The Terrapins take on the Wildcats at 5 p.m. Wednesday in Robert E. Taylor Stadium. The game, which will be streamed live over the Internet by ACC Select, is free to the public and parking will be available in Lots 9B and 4B.
North Carolina (26-7, 4-2 ACC) 000 200 0 - 2 3 2
Maryland (14-14, 0-3 ACC) 000 001 0 - 1 4 2
LOB - North Carolina 8; Maryland 8. 2B - Brittany McKinney. HBP -
Kerry Hickey. SH - Anna Roberts. SF - Constance Orr. SB - Breanna Brown; Dani Manko; Anna Roberts;
Nadine Blackie;
Breanna Shaw. W - Danielle Spaulding (11-2). L -
Kendra Knight (1-5). S -
Lisa Norris (2).
Laura Watten Show Slatted for Monday Afternoon
The weekly Laura Watten Show will be broadcast live over the Internet at wmucsports.com Monday at 3 p.m.
The 30-minute show features discussions with the fourth-year Terrapin head softball coach, including answers to questions submitted via email (askcoachwatten@gmail.com). Watten will recap highlights of Maryland's season thus far, as well as provide analysis of her team's upcoming schedule.
Now in its third year, The Lauren Watten Show can be heard Mondays from 3-3:30 p.m. throughout the remainder of the 2009 softball season.
