COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Senior Sarah Dooley's stretch of masterful pitching performances continued Wednesday and the University of Maryland softball team was the beneficiary, sweeping a doubleheader with Delaware State in Robert E. Taylor Stadium. The Terrapins claimed 9-1 and 7-0 victories over the Hornets, as Dooley pitched a pair of complete games, including a shutout, for her 15th and 16th wins of the season.

Taking the circle just 20 hours after tossing 10 scoreless innings during Tuesday's doubleheader sweep of George Washington, Dooley was even more dominant Wednesday against Delaware State. The veteran right-hander went the distance during Wednesday's first game, striking out a then-career high 11 and allowing just two baserunners and one unearned run.

Not to be outdone, Dooley (16-9) started on the mound yet again during Wednesday's nightcap, and the results were similar. She set a new career-best by fanning 12 opposing batters during game two en route to her fourth shutout of the season, including her third in a week's span for Maryland (29-23, 9-9 Atlantic Coast Conference).

With her performance Wednesday, Dooley extended her streak of innings without surrendering an earned run to 25 frames, dating back to Sunday's victory at Virginia Tech. The St. Louis native also moved into a tie for fourth place all-time at Maryland by pitching her 11th career shutout.

"Sarah provided our team a much-need boost today with her remarkable effort in the circle," said head coach Laura Watten, whose squad now has won eight of its last 11 games. "She had strong command, located her pitches well and pitched like the senior leader she has become for our team."

The Terps provided Dooley with plenty of run support Wednesday, pounding out 18 hits during the two contests and swiping 10 bases, including a season-high six steals during the first game. A number of young players made key contributions offensively against Delaware State (21-20). Michelle Takeda collected three hits, including a two-run home run, and five RBIs, and fellow freshman Kathy McLaughlin was 5-for-7 at the plate during the doubleheader. Freshman Vangie Galindo and sophomore Marisha Branson tallied three hits apiece Wednesday, with Branson notching two doubles and three RBIs.

During the first half of the twin bill, Maryland scored in all but one frame of the six-inning affair. Takeda put the Terps on the scoreboard in the bottom of the second by launching her team-best seventh home run into the netting beyond right center field. Junior Alex Schultz bunted in a run during the third inning, and McLaughlin produced an RBI single during the team's following at bat.

After a Takeda RBI single highlighted a three-run fifth inning, the Terps tacked on two more runs during their final at bat in the sixth. Schultz and sophomore Jennifer Anderson were hit by pitches during consecutive at bats with the bases loaded to plate the team's final two runs.

Wednesday's second game saw Maryland break a scoreless tie with four runs during its half of the fourth inning. Branson contributed the biggest hit when her double to left center scored a pair. Takeda and sophomore Niki Lau also accounted for RBIs during the outburst.

Branson and Takeda both collected RBI singles during the fifth inning, and Maryland closed out its scoring during the following inning, when Schultz's basehit up the middle sent Lau to home plate.

For Takeda, her performance at the plate Wednesday enabled her to tie for 10th all-time on Maryland's single-season home run list, now with seven. The first-year outfielder also increased her team-leading RBI total to 24 and extended her hit streak to eight games.

Maryland returns to action this weekend by playing host to a regular season-ending three-game series with No. 16/23 Georgia Tech, which currently sits atop the conference standings. The Terrapins will take on the Yellow Jackets in a doubleheader Saturday starting at 1 p.m. and return to the diamond Sunday for the series finale at 1 p.m. Sunday's contest will serve as Senior Day for Dooley and fellow seniors Breanna Shaw and Devon Williams. Each game this weekend free to the public, and parking will be available in Lots 4B and 9B.

Game 1

Delaware State  000 010 - 1  2  3
Maryland        021 132 - 9  8  1

Game 2

Delaware State  000 000 0 - 0  5  0
Maryland        000 421 X - 7 10  1