Feb. 17, 2012

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Box Score vs. LIU | Box Score vs. Michigan

BOCA RATON, Fla. - The Maryland softball team opened its 2012 season Friday with two wins, including a 7-3 victory over No. 11 Michigan. In their first game of the day, the Terrapins (2-0) beat Long Island, 3-1.

Eight Terrapins notched at least two hits and three, seniors Kathy McLaughlin, Bree Hanafin, and Sloane Van Meter, each had three hits. As a team, Maryland outhit both opponents 20-4.

"It feels great to have such a good start to the season," head coach Laura Watten said. "We had a total team effort in both games today, offensively and defensively, and it's just a great sign of our potential this year."

The Wolverines (4-1) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. The Terrapins would rally to take a one-run lead in the bottom of the second. Van Meter and sophomore Candice Beards led off with singles to start the rally. With no outs and the bases loaded, Hanafin singled to drive in two RBI. Freshman Shannon Bustillos helped drive in the third run of the inning when she reached on a fielder's choice, which led Hanafin to score off of a Michigan error.

The Terps added two more runs in the bottom of the third to go up 5-2. With one out, freshman Bria Taylor and McLaughlin pulled off a double-steal of third and second. Hanafin singled through the left side to score Taylor and McLaughlin scored on the play due to a Michigan error.

The Wolverines tacked on a third run in the top of the fourth. With two outs and runners on first and second, senior Vangie Galindo, who led the ACC in hits last year, singled to right to score the sixth Terps' run.

Nikki Maier led off the bottom of the sixth with a home run to center for the Terps' seventh and final run.

Senior Kendra Knight allowed the Wolverines just two hits and notched six strikeouts.

In Maryland's first game of the day, freshman pitcher Kaitlyn Schmeiser made her first career start. She had nine strikeouts and gave up two hits to the Blackbirds (0-6).

The Terrapins scored all three of their runs in the first inning. With runners on first and second, Maier reached on a fielder's choice and a Long Island error scored McLaughlin from third. Then, Hanafin came up and doubled to left to score two more runs.

On Saturday, the Terps will face Wright State at 4 p.m. and the tournament-host Owls at 8 p.m. The Terps will close out the weekend with an 11 a.m. game vs. No. 22 Kentucky on Sunday.

GameTracker live stats will be available for all five of Maryland's games.