Virginia Softball Drops Pair Of Games To Maryland
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March 24, 2007
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia softball team lost of pair of Atlantic Coast Conference games to Maryland Saturday (March 24) at The Park. The Terrapins hit four grand slams and a three-run homer en route to 15-1 (six innings) and 8-3 victories while spoiling UVa’s home opening contests. With the two losses, the Cavaliers fall to 10-21 overall and 0-5 in the ACC, while Maryland improves to 16-10 overall and 2-0 in the conference.
Maryland hit two grand slams in both ends of the doubleheader and also hit a three-run homer in the first game. The Terrapins 15 runs scored in the first contest ties for the most runs UVa has ever allowed in a game and the 15-1 score matches Virginia’s largest losing margin. UVa lost to Sacred Heart 15-1 in April of 1985.
After three scoreless innings in the first game, Maryland exploded for eight runs on five hits in the top of the fourth inning. Keri Lounge accounted for the first three runs with a home run to left center. Stacey Jennings brought home the fourth run when she was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Lindsay Klein staked the Terrapins to an 8-0 lead with a grand slam to right center.
The Cavaliers got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth inning. With one out, first-year first baseman Kelly Haller (Leesburg, Va.) roped a long single to left center. Third-year Whitney Holstun (Escondido, Calif.), who pinch ran for Haller, moved to second on a walk to fourth-year catcher Amy McKean (Kent. Wash.). Holstun then scored on first-year right fielder Sarah Tacke’s (Merced, Calif.) double to left center. Maryland answered with seven more runs in the sixth inning to make the final score 15-1. Amber Jackson provided the big hit in the frame with the Terps’ second grand slam of the game.
First-year pitcher Nicole Koren (Warminster, Pa.) suffered the loss in the circle to fall to 0-6 on the season. In two stints covering 5.2 innings, Koren allowed 13 runs (10 earned) with six walks and a pair of strikeouts. Second-year Karla Wilburn (Del Mar, Calif.) gave up two runs on three hits in one-third of an inning of work. Stacey Jennings (5-7) picked the victory for the Terrapins. In 4.1 innings she allowed one run on four hits with five walks and three strikeouts. Abbey Welch pitched the final 1.2 innings and struck out one while walking two.
Fourth-year designated player Brooke Sorber (Alexandria, Va.) tied the school record by being hit by a pair of pitches in the contest. It is the fourth time in school history a UVa player has been hit by two pitches in the same game.
In the second game, Maryland used a pair of grand slams to score all eight runs in the 8-3 win. Klein hit her second grand slam of the afternoon in the top of the third inning to give the Terps a 4-0 lead and then Jennifer Wellborn poked the fourth grand slam of the afternoon to extend the advantage to 8-0.
The Cavaliers fought back with three runs in the bottom of the fifth. Second-year shortstop Kierstie Cameron (Pinon Hills, Calif.) led off with a double to left field for her first hit of the season. With one out, third-year Casey Steffan (Long Valley, N.J.) stepped up to the plate for her first collegiate at-bat and delivered a single down the right field line on the first pitch she saw. Maryland then brought in Welch to replace starter Meredith Wells, and Sorber promptly knocked the first pitch over the wall in left field for her first homer of the season which made the score 8-3.
Fourth-year pitcher Coty Tolar (Marietta, Ga.) suffered the loss in the circle and fell to 4-6. In 4.2 innings, Tolar allowed eight runs on six hits with four walks and two strikeouts. Koren went 1.1 innings in relief of Tolar and gave up one hit with a walk and a strikeout. Wilburn pitched the final inning and gave up one hit. Nelles improved to 9-3 with the victory in the circle for the Terps. She went 4.1 innings and allowed two runs on four hits with a pair of strikeouts. Welch allowed one run on two hits with a walk in one-third of an inning. Jennings went the final 2.1 innings and held UVa to one hit and a walk with one strikeout.
Sorber and fourth-year second baseman Elea Crockett (Tucson, Ariz.) both had a pair of hits in the second contest for Virginia.
The Cavaliers wrap up their three-game series with Maryland on Sunday (March 25) with a 1 p.m. game at The Park.