CHAPEL HILL, NC – The red hot No. 23 Terps topped North Carolina (4-3) this evening by a score of 5-3. At 7-1, Maryland continues its best start since the 2012 season, when they began the year 9-1. 

Big hits by Megan Mikami and Mackense Greico, plus an Amelia Lech two-run homer, pushed the Terps over the Tar Heels. Maryland also demonstrated their offensive discipline, walking six times as a team. 

Strong defense was the name of the game, with the Terps achieving a perfect fielding percentage. Maryland's infield played lights out against the Tar Heels, including an unassisted double play by Sammi Woods. 

In the circle, Trinity Schlotterbeck went for 4.2 solid innings, tallying three strikeouts and stranding seven runners. Keira Bucher came in for another great relief appearance, shutting out the Tar Heels to hold the lead. A three-up, three-down sixth inning contributed to Bucher recording her fourth save of the season. 

Breaking Down The Action

• The Terps loaded the bases in the top of the first thanks to heads-up base running by Mikami and Lech.
• The Tar Heels scored first off of a RBI double. 
• Michaela Jones made a great catch in the second, preventing any more Tar Heels from crossing the plate. 
• Lech smashed a two-run home run in the third, driving in Mikami and putting the Terps in the lead, 2-1. 
• Woods hit a sacrifice grounder to score Jones, extending Maryland's lead, 3-1. 
• North Carolina tallied a run in the fourth off of a super close single. Originally called out, the play was just overturned, bringing the score to 3-2. Schlotterbeck came in clutch to strike out the next batter and strand the remaining Tar Heel runners. 
• Greico got the run right back for the Terps in the fifth with a deep double. As pinch runner Kamryn Davis reached home, Maryland went back up by two, 4-2. 
• Carolina scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the fifth, 4-3. 
• Maryland answered with a commanding RBI double by Mikami. Her hit knocked in Jones, leaving the score at 5-3.

Numbers To Know

• 0: Freshman Keira Bucher has an outstanding 0.00 ERA in five relief appearances.
• 3: Amelia Lech hit a home run in this game, her third of the season. 
• 4: The Terps scored runs in four-straight innings (second-sixth).  
• 9: Mackense Greico tallied one RBI tonight, adding to her team-leading total of nine. 
• 21: The Terps have stolen 21 bases this season, including 5 in this game.

Up Next

• Maryland takes on North Carolina to finish out their ACC/Big Ten Challenge on Sunday at 12:30pm. That game airs on ACC Network Extra.