March 25, 2009

Box Score

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland softball team played one of the nation's top teams even for six innings but ultimately fell to No 8/10 Northwestern, 7-2, in nonconference action Wednesday evening in Robert E. Taylor Stadium.

Playing their fourth consecutive game against a nationally-ranked opponent, the Terrapins (14-15) claimed a 2-1 advantage in the third inning. The Wildcats (16-7) knotted the game at two during their ensuing at bat, and the score remained that way until a big seventh inning resulted in five more runs for Northwestern.

Sophomore Kerry Hickey continued to demonstrate her ability to excel as a two-way player for Maryland. The Huntingtown, Md., native started on the mound and pitched four solid innings, allowing just two earned runs on two hits with six strikeouts. Hickey also knocked in one of Maryland's runs, when her hard single through the left side during the third inning enabled junior Nadine Blackie to score.

After Northwestern jumped on board with a run during the top of the third, Maryland went to work in its half of the inning. Blackie and freshman Kathy McLaughlin drew walks and senior Breanna Shaw singled to left field to load the bases, setting the stage for Hickey's RBI hit. Fellow senior Devon Williams, who snared a lineout at third base to end the top of the third inning, followed with a bases-loaded walk to produce another run.

With the score tied 2-2, the Terps threatened to add to their run total in both the fourth and sixth innings. Sophomore Niki Lau and McLaughlin drew consecutive two-out walks during the fourth. Maryland loaded the bases in the sixth when junior Alex Schultz was hit by a pitch, Blackie contributed a bunt single and Shaw reached on an error. Neither inning, however, resulted in additional runs for the Terps.

Freshman Kendra Knight relieved Hickey and pitched the final three innings for Maryland. The right-hander from Virginia Beach, Va., pitched two strong innings, striking out the side in the sixth, before the vaunted Wildcats' offense rallied in the seventh inning for five runs on two hits.

Knight (1-6) allowed five earned runs on three hits with four strikeouts in her three innings of work. Junior Lauren Delaney (15-6) went the distance on the mound for the Wildcats. Northwestern, which entered the game leading the Big Ten Conference with 35 home runs, added three more long-balls Wednesday.

The Terps, who entered Wednesday's game ranked second in the ACC in fielding, played error-free softball for the 15th time this season to improve their team fielding percentage to .969.

Maryland returns to Atlantic Coast Conference play this weekend by taking on NC State in a three-game series in Taylor Stadium. The Terrapins face the Wolfpack at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturday and again at 1 p.m. Sunday. Each game is free to the public and parking will be available in Lots 9B and 4B.

Northwestern (16-7)  001 100 5 - 7  5  1
Maryland (14-15)     002 000 0 - 2  4  0

LOB - Northwestern 7; Maryland 11. HR - Tammy Williams; Erin Dyer; Kelly Dyer. HBP - Michelle Batts; Alex Schultz. SH - Robin Thompson. SF - Adrienne Monka. SB - Robin Thompson; Tammy Williams; Ashley Lafever; Kelly Dyer. W - Lauren Delaney (15-6). L - Kendra Knight (1-6).