April 15, 2012

Box Score

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland softball team completed a series sweep of Virginia with an 8-0 five-inning victory Sunday afternoon.

Freshman Shannon Bustillos led the offensive charge for the Terps (23-17, 3-6) going 2-for-2 with a home run and four RBIs.

Senior Kendra Knight (16-10) picked up the win by surrendering one hit in her five innings of work. Knight was the winning pitcher in all three games against the Cavaliers (20-21, 5-10) who fell into a fifth-place tie with the Terps in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

The Terps offense started off hot, scoring three in the first inning. Leadoff hitter senior Kathy McLaughlin singled to right field and scored on junior Nikki Maier's base hit up the middle. Sophomore Candice Beards also scored on the play due to a Virginia throwing error. Bustillos then singled through the left side to bring Maier home and give the Terps an early 3-0 lead.

The Terps broke the game open in the third on a Bustillos three-run homer. Beards hit a one-out single and was pinch run for by Bria Taylor. Maier was hit by a pitch, setting the table for Bustillos who blasted Melanie Mitchell's offering over the left field wall.

The last two runs were added in the bottom of the fourth. Junior Melissa Mancuso led off the inning with a bunt single. McLaughlin then singled to left field to bring home Mancuso on a throwing error by the Cavaliers.

Knight struck out four and walked just one in helping the Terps to their third-straight victory.

Mitchell (14-11) suffered the loss for the Cavaliers, surrendering eight hits and four earned runs in four innings of work.

The Terps return to action at 5 p.m. Wednesday with a doubleheader against Howard in College Park, Md.