April 17, 2011
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COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
The Maryland softball team split a doubleheader with Atlantic Coast Conference opponent North Carolina State Sunday afternoon at Robert E. Taylor Stadium. The Terps (28-13, 6-4 ACC) won the first game 3-1, but fell to the Wolfpack (21-20, 3-10 ACC) in the second.
Vangie Galindo, Marisha Branson and Bree Hanafin each had three hits on the day. Branson notched a double and a home run in game one.
After a scoreless four innings, the Terrapins scored three runs in the bottom of the fifth. With one out, Galindo tripled off the right field wall. Hanafin brought her in with a single to center. With two outs and Hanafin still on, Branson sent a home run over the right field wall to put Maryland up 3-0.
Senior Kerry Hickey started the first game in the circle for Maryland. She notched eight strikeouts, three walks and allowed just three hits. She held the Wolfpack scoreless through six innings before allowing a run in the top of the seventh.
In the second game, Maryland took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Branson and Hanafin got back-to-back singles with two outs. Hickey followed with a walk to load the bases. Nikki Maier drew another walk to put the Terps on the board.
In the top of the second, NC State tied it up. Bridget Desbois led off with a single and Caitlin Dent sent in the tying run with an RBI single.
Freshman and Co-ACC Pitcher of the Week Ashley Czechner came on to pitch in the top of the fifth inning and held the Pack to a 1-2-3 inning.
NC State threatened to take the lead in the top of the sixth. Toni Ann Williford notched a base hit with one out. She advanced to third on a single by Alyssa Allbritten with two outs. Desbois popped up to Branson at third to end the inning.
Hickey led off the bottom of the sixth with a base hit up the middle, but Maryland was unable to score the run.
In the top of the seventh, NC State's Breanna Andrews hit a home run just over the right field wall to take the 2-1 lead. Sara Acosta singled in the bottom of the seventh, but the Terrapins fell 2-1.
Junior Kendra Knight pitched 4.0 innings in the second game and allowed three hits and an earned run with three strikeouts. Czechner ended her 3.0 innings in the circle with three hits and two strikeouts.
Sophomore catcher Samantha Mallory threw out her 14th stolen base runner of the year in the second game. She leads the ACC in base runners caught stealing.
The Terrapins will play host to Binghamton Tuesday in a doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m. Admission and parking are both free.
Fans can listen to Maryland head coach Laura Watten live on WMUCSports.com every Monday at 5 p.m. Listen to the Terps' leader discuss the previous week's games and look ahead to the upcoming schedule.
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