April 9, 2011
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Game 1 Box Score | Game 2 Box Score
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Sophomore Sara Acosta twice was involved in game-winning plays and the University of Maryland softball team improved to 4-3 in the conference Saturday. The Terps (26-12) defeated Boston College 4-3 before topping the Eagles again, 1-0.
In the 1 p.m. game, senior Kerry Hickey struck out seven and allowed just three runs over seven innings, though the Terps needed late-game heroics to overcome Boston College's 3-1 lead entering the bottom of the seventh.
Freshman Candice Beards opened the inning with a lead-off walk. Later in the inning, pinch-running freshman Amanda McCann advanced to third as junior Vangie Galindo hit a sharp grounder. In the next at-bat, sophomore Sara Acosta lined a single through the in-field to drive in a pair and tie the game at three.
Just moments later, junior Bree Hanafin slammed a triple down the left-field line and Acosta scored the game-winning run from first base, giving the Terps the dramatic come-from-behind victory.
In the second game, junior Kendra Knight pitched five innings of shutout ball with seven strikeouts before being relieved by freshman Ashley Czechner.
With an inherited runner on in the top of the sixth, Czechner struck out two and retired the side.
Junior Kathy McLaughlin led off the bottom of the sixth with a single and advanced to second on a perfectly placed sacrifice bunt by Czechner. Acosta followed with a double to drive in the run and give Maryland the 1-0 lead.
After allowing an inning-opening single, Czechner picked up a fielder's choice out at second and had two strikes on her next batter before sophomore Samantha Mallory caught Boston College's Maria Pandolfo stealing.
On the very next pitch, Czechner earned her 10th victory on the season with the strikeout, her third in relief.
The Terps will aim for the series sweep against the Eagles Sunday at 1 p.m.
-Go Terps-
