BLACKSBURG, Va. - Powered by characteristically strong pitching and opportunistic hitting, the University of Maryland softball team knocked off host Virginia Tech, 4-1, Sunday afternoon in Tech Softball Park to claim its fourth Atlantic Coast Conference series victory of the season.

With the win, Maryland (25-23, 9-9 ACC) claimed sole possession of fourth place in the ACC standings heading into next weekend's regular season finale home series with conference leader Georgia Tech. The Terrapins now have won nine of their last 14 ACC matchups and have accumulated their most conference victories in a season since 1999.

Pitchers Kerry Hickey and Sarah Dooley held the Hokes lineup in check Sunday, combining to allow just six hits in seven innings. Hickey (11-8) started on the circle and scattered five hits over 4.2 innings, surrendering just one earned run with five strikeouts. Dooley pitched two scoreless innings in relief, allowing two hits and maintaining the Terps' three-run cushion.

Hickey returned to the mound in the bottom of the seventh inning with two runners on base to record the game's final out. The sophomore right-hander induced Hokies senior Jessica Everhart to ground into a fielder's choice, preserving the victory over Virginia Tech (23-25, 8-10 ACC).

Making the first plate appearances of her collegiate career, freshman Kendra Knight led the way offensively, tallying a pair of base hits. The Virginia Beach, Va., native singled up the middle to lead off the third inning, joining junior Lydia Fowler and sophomore Marisha Branson as the third Maryland player this season to secure a hit in her first career at bat. Knight added another leadoff single during the seventh inning.

Despite not having an extra-base hit, Maryland's batting lineup capitalized on a pair of Virginia Tech errors and was able to manufacture runs against Hokies ace pitcher Kenzie Roark. The Terps had their leadoff batter reach base on four occasions and stole four bases, including two by freshman Kathy McLaughlin.

Maryland took an early 1-0 lead during the second inning, as junior Nadine Blackie led off with an infield single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Hickey. Junior Alex Schultz followed with a single to right center, enabling Blackie to move to third base, and senior Devon Williams drove in the run with an RBI ground out.

After Virginia Tech tied the game during its ensuing at bat, Maryland broke the contest open with a three-run fourth inning. Hickey led off with a single, and pinch runner Lauren Ghent scored when Virginia Tech committed a throwing error during Fowler's sacrifice bunt. Williams, who reached base via a fielder's choice, scored on a wild pitch, and Branson cross home plate by virtue of a fielding error.

Blackie and sophomore Niki Lau both extended their hit streaks to five games by notching base hits during Sunday's series finale. McLaughlin finished the series with a team-best four hits and three stolen bases.

Roark took the loss for Virginia Tech after allowing four runs (one earned) in a complete game performance. Senior Beth Walker accounted for the Hokies' lone run with a solo homer during the bottom of the second inning.

The Terrapins return home for a pair of nonconference doubleheaders this week in Robert E. Taylor Stadium. Maryland faces George Washington on Tuesday and Delaware State on Wednesday. Both doubleheaders start at 5 p.m. and are free to the public.

Maryland (25-23, 9-9 ACC)        010 300 0 - 4  7  0
Virginia Tech (23-25, 8-10 ACC)  010 000 0 - 1  6  3