April 21, 2012

Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C. - The Maryland softball team battled at NC State to split a doubleheader Saturday afternoon. The Terps held off the Wolfpack 5-3 in the first game, then rallied to force extra innings, but fell in 10, 5-4 in game two.

Senior Kendra Knight pitched 16.0 innings. Sophomore Amanda McCann notched a four-hit day and sophomore Candice Beards knocked in three RBI.

In game one, the Terrapins (25-17, 3-6 ACC) gave NC State (21-26, 3-11) an early lead in the bottom of the second off of a series of errors. Maryland took a 2-1 lead in the top of the fourth. Freshman Shannon Bustillos tied the game with a lead off solo home run for her fourth long ball in the last six games. Pinch runner Bria Taylor scored later in the inning when Sara Acosta reached on an error.

Maryland added a run for a 3-1 lead in the top of the fifth when senior Kathy McLaughlin hit her first career home run to center. NC State got one back in the bottom of the inning when Bethaney Wells led off with a solo home run.

McCann added two more terrapin runs with a two-RBI triple with two outs in the top of the sixth. The Wolfpack rallied for its third run in the bottom of the seventh.

In game two, the Wolfpack took an early three-run lead off of three hits in the bottom of the first. The Terps cut the Wolfpack's lead to one in the top of the third when Candice Beards sent in a two-RBI double to left.

Two innings later, Beards tied the game up with another double, this time to center field.

NC State took the lead 4-3 in the bottom of the sixth with a sacrifice fly. In the top of the seventh, Nikki Maier tied it up with a single center to score McLaughlin from second.

Freshman pitcher Kaitlyn Schmeiser came on to pitch in the bottom of the 10th. The Wolfpack clinched the win with a bases-loaded hit by pitch.

Stats and box score for the second game will be available as soon as possible.

The Terps and the Wolfpack will play Sunday at noon. GameTracker live stats will be available and it will also be broadcast live online for a fee at GoPack.com.