May 14, 2004

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Sixth-seeded Maryland recorded three runs in the top of the seventh inning to defeat the third-seeded Virginia Cavaliers in the 2004 ACC Softball Championship, being held at the Seminole Softball Complex on the campus of Florida State University.

Maryland freshman Lindsay Klein put the Terrapins on top 2-0 in the third inning with her one-out double to center field. Junior Nneka Cardoza led off the inning with a walk before stealing second base. She advanced to third on a single by junior Crystal Rizzuto. Freshman Lindsay Klein brought both Cardoza and Rizzuto home on her double to center field.

Virginia came back to take a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth. Sophomore Jackie Greer led off for the Cavaliers with a walk. With two outs, sophomore Jessica Taylor reached base on a single to left center. She and Greer were sent home on senior Heather Field's triple to left center. Freshman Elea Crockett then put the Cavaliers up 3-2, by sending Field home with her single to right field.

Maryland reclaimed the lead in the top of the seventh, putting three runs on the board. Cardoza walked, freshman Keri Lounge hit a double and Rizzuto was hit by a pitch to load the bases. The Terps capitalized on a fielder's choice error to tie the game 3-3. With bases loaded again, senior Monica Cyphert drew a walk to put Maryland ahead 4-3. Senior Liz Gall then hit a sacrifice fly to score Maryland's third run of the inning and put the Terps on top 5-3 heading into the bottom of the seventh.

Maryland went on to hold Virginia scoreless in the bottom of the seventh to record the 5-3 victory. The Terps advance to face the second-seeded North Carolina Tar Heels in the final game of the day. Virginia will face the loser of the Florida State/Georgia Tech game on Saturday, May 15 at 10:00 am.

Field, having played in 261 games in a Virginia uniform, tied the school record for games played in a career.

Maryland scored five runs, on nine hits and committed one error, while Virginia notched three runs on nine hits and had one error.