Citrus Classic webpage| Final Stats
ORLANDO, Fla. - The Maryland softball team lost two late-inning leads Friday in the first day of the Citrus Classic, played at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla. The Terrapins (6-6) led 3-0 heading into the fifth before Illinois State scored nine runs in the following three innings. Maryland lost 9-7 at the hands of the Redbirds in the first game before losing 3-1 to Illinois later in the day.
Pitcher Kendra Knight struck out eight Illinois State batters but gave up three key runs late in the 12:30 game. In relief Ashley Czechner gave up five runs. In the second game, Kerry Hickey struck out seven in over five innings.
After a scoreless first inning against Illinois State, the Terrapin bats awoke starting in the second when Lauren Ghent singled through the right side to score Kathy McLaughlin. Just one inning later, Vangie Galindo hit a one-out double followed by a Bree Hanafin home run to put the Terps up 3-0.
Illinois State countered with three runs and two runs in the fifth and sixth, respectively, before scoring four in the seventh to seal the Redbirds' victory- the team's second over Maryland this season.
Against Illinois, the Terps scored their lone run in the third inning thanks to Marisha Branson reaching on a fielder's choice, allowing Sara Acosta, who opened the inning with a single- to score.
Maryland lost its lead, however, in the sixth inning when the Fighting Illini scored three runs off of Hickey.
The Terps will resume play Saturday at 10 a.m. when they take on the Notre Dame Fighting Irish before closing out the day at 12:30 against Longwood.
-Terps-
