Softball ACCtion: Sunday, April 20 :: Georgia Tech edges Boston College 7-6 to take the series; Maryland tops Virginia 2-0 in rain-shortened game; North Carolina wins series over NC State with 3-1 win.

April 21, 2008

Georgia Tech Hangs On To Beat BC 7-6 And Win Second Straight ACC Series

ATLANTA - The Georgia Tech Softball Team (25-28, 6-11 ACC) had a 7-0 lead after the third inning and hung on to defeat Boston College (24-26, 3-12) 7-6 and win its second straight Atlantic Coast Conference Series. Senior Aileen Morales, junior Blair Shimandle, senior Savannah Brown, junior Whitney Haller and freshman Jessica Weaver had two hits apiece as part of a 13-hit Yellow Jacket attack. Senior Whitney Humphreys did not allow an earned run and struck out four as she improved to 15-14 on the season.

The Yellow Jackets had a chance for a big first inning as they loaded the bases with nobody out, but had to settle for two runs. Senior Aileen Morales led off the inning with a single to right field and then stole second base, her 39th of the season. Junior Blair Shimandle hit a weak grounder to the right side and when BC first baseman Dani Weir made a bad throw to the second baseman covering, Shimandle was safe. Morales never stopped running around third base and came across to score the first run of the game.

Terps' Softball Defeats Virginia, 2-0, in Rain-Shortened Game

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Senior Sarde Stewart hit her seventh home run of the season to lead the University of Maryland softball team to a 2-0 weather-shortened victory Sunday afternoon on Senior Day at Robert E. Taylor Stadium. The Terps improve to 32-15 and 6-9 in Atlantic Coast Conference play, while the Cavaliers drop to 14-33 and 5-13 in ACC play.

Before the game, Maryland's five seniors were honored for their accomplishments including Jenny Belak, Brittany Bessho, Meghan Booth, Whitney Reigel and Stewart.

Junior Sarah Dooley (14-11) pitched her sixth shutout of the season, allowing only two hits while striking out five. Dooley now has 144 strikeouts this season, the 10th most in a single season in school history, while her six shutouts are the ninth most ever in a season. Her 14 wins are tied for eighth most in a season.

In the bottom of the third, after a Belak walk, Stewart stepped up and hit her team-leading seventh home run of the season to right field. Stewart now has 37 RBI on the season, moving into a tie for the fourth most in a season in school history.

No. 15 North Carolina Claims 3-1 Win Over NC State

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. - No. 15 North Carolina fell behind 1-0 early in Sunday's game against NC State but quickly answered with three runs of its own in the bottom half of the first to claim the 3-1 victory at Anderson Stadium. Amber Johnson picked up the win in the circle as she struck out nine in the contest. Whitney Allen came up with the big hit in the first when she drove in a pair of runs with a single to give the Tar Heels their first sweep over NC State in school history. With the win Carolina improves to 45-8-1 on the year, including an ACC-best 16-1 in conference play, while NC State falls to 27-23 overall and 8-10 in the ACC.

NC State's Shanna Smith led off the game by lacing a single through the left side before swiping second to put herself in scoring position. Johnson was able to strike out the next batter before issuing a walk and a wild pitch that put runners at the corners. A sharply hit ground ball to third forced Alyssa Francona to come home with the ball in an attempt to cut down Smith but the Wolfpack senior was able to avoid the tag and give NC State an early 1-0 advantage. Johnson bounced back by forcing a fly out and ground out to end the inning and keep the deficit at just one.