Feb. 22, 2012

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COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland softball team (6-1) won both games in its home opener Wednesday, with 7-3 and 10-2 victories over Oakland (0-4) at Robert E. Taylor Stadium

Maryland's offense exploded for 17 runs off 20 hits, as opposed to the Golden Grizzlies' five runs off 13 hits. Senior Vangie Galindo led the Terrapins with three hits senior Kathy McLaughlin had three RBI. Sophomore Candice Beards, freshman Shannon Bustillos and senior Bree Hanafin each hit home runs in the two games.

In game one, the Terrapins quickly put two runs on the board in the bottom of the first and never trailed. With runners on second and third and one out, senior Sloane Van Meter singled to left to score both.

Oakland added a run in the top of the second, but Maryland would score three more in the bottom of the third. Bustillos sent her first career home run to left field to lead off the inning. With two outs, McLaughlin doubled to bring in two runs and make the score 5-2.

Hanafin sent her solo home run over the centerfield wall in the bottom of the sixth. Van Meter followed that up with a double down the left field line and scored on an illegal pitch.

In game two, the Grizzlies took an early 2-0 lead. With a couple of base hits in the first and a solo home run to open the top of the second, they held their only lead of the day.

The Terps responded with a four-run bottom of the third. With no outs and Sara Acosta on third and Galindo on second, Bustillos singled to score Acosta, which put the Terrapins on the board. Next, Amanda McCann, who pinch ran for Bustillos, stole second. The throw was long, so Galindo scored on the play. Beards reached on an error to score McCann from third and Lexi Carroll sent an RBI single center to score the final Maryland run of the inning. The Terps led 4-2.

To open the bottom of the fourth, Acosta and Galindo led off with back-to-back singles. They advanced on a wild pitch, then Acosta scored on an illegal pitch. Bustillos walked with Galindo on third. When Bustillos stole second, Galindo was again able to score on a long throw. McLaughlin sent a single up the middle to score Bustillos, then Beards hit her home run over the scoreboard in center field to score two more runs.

Senior Kendra Knight started in the circle in the first game. She threw 7.0 innings with 12 strikeouts and allowed three runs off seven hits. Freshman Kaitlyn Schmeiser started the second game and pitched all 5.0 innings. She struck out two and gave up six hits.

Next, the Terrapins will head to Florida this weekend to play in the ESPN Citrus Classic at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Kissimmee, Fla. They will play Southern Illinois and Marshall Friday at 12:15 and 2:30 p.m. On Saturday, the Terps will face off against Wisconsin at 2:30 p.m. That game will be shown live online at ESPN3.com. After their game vs. the Badgers, they will play St. John's at 4:45 p.m. Maryland will close the weekend with a 10 a.m. game vs. Marshall Sunday.

For full results and live stats links, log on to umterps.com.