BLACKSBURG, Va. - The University of Maryland softball team overcame a four-run deficit in its final two at bats to defeat Virginia Tech, 5-4, and earn a split during a doubleheader played in sweltering heat Saturday afternoon in Tech Softball Park. The Hokies claimed a 6-5 decision during game two of the Atlantic Coast Conference showdown.

Trailing 4-0 after the first five innings of Saturday's series opener, the Terrapins stormed back for three runs in the sixth inning and two more in the seventh to claim victory. The come-from-behind win marked Maryland's fourth of the season when down after five frames.

Maryland (24-23, 8-9 ACC) and Virginia Tech (23-24, 8-9 ACC) both claimed victories in their last at bats Saturday to remain tied for fourth place in the conference standings entering Sunday's pivotal rubber match. Both squads tallied 10 total runs on 16 hits during Saturday's action.

Senior Sarah Dooley pitched 2.1 scoreless innings in relief during the first game to earn her team-best 13th victory of the season. The veteran right-hander struck out three of the 11 batters she faced, allowing only two hits. With runners on second and third and two down in the bottom of the seventh, starting pitcher Kerry Hickey reentered and struck out Virginia Tech junior Whitney Davis for the game's final out to claim her conference-leading fourth save.

Freshman Kathy McLaughlin collected three hits and sophomore Jennifer Anderson drove in a run in both games. In addition to Anderson, seven Maryland players - McLaughlin, Hickey, senior Devon Williams, juniors Nadine Blackie and Alex Schultz and freshmen Vangie Galindo and Michelle Takeda - each produced an RBI during the doubleheader.

The Terps went to work offensively during the sixth inning of Saturday's first contest, accounting for four hits. Blackie, Hickey and Schultz contributed consecutive one-out singles, with the team's first run scoring on Schultz's basehit of the middle. Anderson's groundout plated another run, and Schultz scored on a two-out single by Takeda, who notched her team-best 19th RBI of the season.

Down 4-3, sophomore Niki Lau started Maryland's seventh inning off with a single, and McLaughlin followed by reaching on an infield hit. After Lau scored on a wild pitch, Galindo lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to score McLaughlin with what proved to be the game-winning run.

During Saturday's nightcap, the Terps jumped on the scoreboard with a run during the top of the first inning. Galindo drew a walk to lead off the game, and Lau followed with a sacrifice bunt. Blackie's ensuing sacrifice fly sent Galindo across home plate.

After Virginia Tech produced a three-run third inning and added another run in the fourth, Maryland countered with four runs of its own during the sixth inning to reclaim the lead. Hickey, Anderson and McLaughlin each tallied RBI singles during the inning, and Williams also drove in a run via a fielder's choice.

Despite the Terps' second late-inning comeback in as many games, the Hokies claimed victory during the second game thanks to senior Jessica Everhart, who knocked a two-run double to center field during the bottom of the seventh.

Freshman Kendra Knight started in the circle during the second game, accumulating three innings with a pair of strikeouts. Dooley (13-9) took the loss after pitching 3.1 innings in relief and allowing two earned runs. Virginia Tech pitcher Kenzie Roark (18-15), who suffered the loss during the first half of the doubleheader, picked up the victory during game two.

Maryland returns to action at 1 p.m. Sunday for its series finale with Virginia Tech, as both teams will vie for sole possession of fourth place in the conference standings. Sunday's contest will be streamed live over the Internet by ACC Select.

Game 1

Maryland       000 003 2 - 5  9  2
Virginia Tech  001 300 0 - 4  8  2

Game 2

Maryland       100 004 0 - 5  7  2
Virginia Tech  003 100 2 - 6  8  2