April 14, 2012

Box Score

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland softball team took a pair from Virginia Saturday afternoon, downing the Cavaliers 3-1 in the first game and then battling from behind to win 6-5 in the second.

Nikki Maier and Shannon Bustillos both tallied a home run in the first game to solidify the Terps' win.

After a loss in the first game, the Cavaliers (20-20, 5-9) gained momentum with five runs in the second inning, but the Terps (22-17, 2-6 ACC) earned the win by battling back in the fourth and scoring five of their own.

The Terps tallied a run in the third inning to cut the deficit to 5-1 when Kathy McLauglin singled to right field to allow Amanda McCann to score.

Maryland's next five runs came in the fourth inning. First, Sara Acosta sprinted home after a McLauglin single up the middle. Then, Vangie Galindo also singled up the middle score Amanda McCann.

Bree Hanafin drove in two runs when she singled to center field and advanced to second on the throw. Galindo score the game-winner on Bustillos's RBI single to left.

Both teams committed one error in the game, but Maryland had 11 hits compared to Virginia's seven.

While Kaitlyn Schmeiser started the game for Maryland, Kendra Knight came on in relief and struck out five.

In game one, Maryland took the early lead when Bustillos' single to right field sent Lexi Carroll home.

The Terps scored again in the bottom of the fourth when two home runs gave Maryland the 3-0 lead. Nikki Maier homered to left field and then Bustillos did the same to left center.

The Cavaliers added one in the fifth after Giannini Cipolloni doubled to right center to score Kristen Hawkins.

Knight tossed a complete game for the Terps, allowing four hits with 13 strikeouts.

The Terps and Cavaliers will round out the series Sunday at 1 p.m. at Robert E. Taylor Stadium. Admission and parking are free.