Feb. 28, 2009

Terps Top Stetson, 3-2, to Cap Perfect Day at Hatter Classic
Shortstop Alex Schultz has developed a reputation as a standout defensive player, but Friday evening she proved the difference-maker at the plate for the University of Maryland softball team, helping the Terps edge host Stetson, 3-2, and conclude the first day of the Stetson Hatter Classic at 2-0.

In a pitching-dominated game that featured just four singles apiece by both teams, Schultz, a junior from Westcliffe, Colo., provided the most important base hit.

With the game knotted at 2-2 and Terrapin baserunners at second and third, Schultz delivered a two-out RBI single to center field to score senior Breanna Shaw and account for the margin of victory. 

Maryland Cruises Past Centenary College, 8-3
Senior Breanna Shaw and freshman Michelle Takeda headlined an opportunistic offensive performance and sophomore Kerry Hickey pitched 5.1 strong innings as the University of Maryland softball team opened the Stetson Hatter Classic with an 8-3 victory over Centenary College Friday afternoon.

The Terrapins equaled their season-best run output, as Shaw and Takeda notched three hits, two RBIs and two runs apiece. Each total marked career highs for Takeda and season highs for Shaw. Both players tallied a pair of doubles and Hickey also secured a two-bagger, enabling Maryland to record a season-high five doubles.

Toeing the rubber for the 10th time this season, Hickey allowed two earned runs on three hits with five strikeouts. The Huntingtown, Md., native pitched into the sixth inning in earning her team-high third win. Senior Sarah Dooley took the mound for the final 1.2 innings, striking out three in recording the Terps' first save of the season and the fourth of her career.

NC State Trounces Canisius for 200th Win, 7-0
NC State picked up its historic 200th win with a decisive 7-0 victory over Canisius on Friday, Feb. 27 during the first day of the Wolfpack Challenge. Allison Presnell clubbed two home runs and drove in four RBIs while Lindsay Campana (2-3) allowed just two hits. The win moves the Pack to 4-6 on the year, while the Golden Griffins fall to 2-2

The game marked the second time in Presnell’s three-year career that she hit two home runs in the same game.

In the circle, Campana retired the side in order four times and picked up seven strikeouts along the way. Mallory Aldred (1-2) suffered the loss for the Golden Griffins. 

Hokies fall to sixth-ranked Wolverines
The Virginia Tech softball team fell to sixth-ranked Michigan, 6-0, Friday on the first day of the 14th annual NFCA Leadoff Classic in a rematch of last year’s NCAA Super Regional in which the Hokies won a pair of games on the final day to advance to the Women’s College World Series. The second game of the day, against No. 1 Alabama, was cancelled due to heavy rain in the area making the playing field a quagmire.

The Wolverines wasted little time in getting on the scoreboard, plating a run in the top of the first inning with on a single by Amanda Chidester. In the second, UM scored a run on a double by Teddi Ewing to make it 2-0 in favor of the maize and blue.

After a rocky first two innings, starter Kenzie Roark settled down, keeping the ranked Wolverines at bay until the seventh inning when she gave up a two-run home run. Roark (L, 3-8) went six-plus innings, allowing six runs (five earned) on 10 hits with five walks and three strikeouts. Abbie Rexrode got the final three outs in the seventh inning. 

Boston College Falls To East Tennessee State In Extra Innings … Coming Soon