April 12, 2009

Box Score

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Kerry Hickey pitched her second complete game in as many days and fellow sophomore Niki Lau had another multi-hit performance but the University of Maryland softball team fell to No. 21 Florida State, 1-0, Sunday afternoon to conclude its latest Atlantic Coast Conference series.

The Terrapins (20-20, 5-7 ACC) outhit the Seminoles 5-4 and did not commit an error in the field for the 18th time this season to boost their team fielding to .968. That performance, however, did not prove enough Sunday against a Florida State squad equipped with a pair of ace pitchers.

Hickey (9-7) went the distance on the mound for the Terps, allowing the lone run on four hits in six innings. The hard-luck pitcher took the loss despite her efficient performance, which saw her face just 22 batters and record five strikeouts.

Batting second in the Terps' lineup, Lau went 2-for-3 for her 11th multi-hit game of the season. The Centennial, Colo., native laced a single down the left field line in her first at bat and added an infield hit in the sixth inning, increasing her series hit total to four.

Devon Williams accounted for her conference-leading ninth sacrifice hit of the season when she dropped a bunt down the first base line during the fifth inning, and fellow senior Breanna Shaw contributed her team-best eighth double one inning prior. Hickey and junior Alex Schultz also notched hits for the Terps.

Maryland, which played an opponent ranked in the USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 national poll for the 12th time this season, had several scoring opportunities during Sunday's contest against Florida State (32-13, 8-4 ACC). The Terps had the leadoff batter aboard in both the fifth and seventh innings and had a runner in scoring position on three occasions.

The Seminoles collected the game's lone run during the bottom of the second inning, when sophomore Ashley Stager led off with a bunt single and scored on Kristie McConn's double to left center. Junior Terese Gober (20-8) scattered four hits over the first 5.2 innings to earn the victory, and sophomore Sarah Hamilton took the mound for the final 1.1 innings to secure her first save of the season.

The Terrapins return home this week to commence a seven-game homestand. Maryland opens that streak by playing host to a doubleheader with George Washington on Wednesday starting at 5 p.m. in Robert E. Taylor Stadium. Both games are free to the public, and parking will be available in Lots 4B and 9B starting at 4 p.m.

Maryland      000 000 0 - 0  5  0
Florida State 010 000 X - 1  4  0

LOB - Maryland 5; Florida State 3. 2B - Breanna Shaw; Kristie McConn. SH - Nadine Blackie; Alex Schultz; Devon Williams; Carly Wynn, 2. SB - Ashley Stager, 2. CS - Ashley Stager. W - Terese Gober (20-8). L - Kerry Hickey (9-7). S - Sarah Hamilton (1).