University of North Carolina Athletics
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Maryland
Carolina Beats Maryland in Game One, Game Two Halted After Six
April 23, 2005 | Softball
April 23, 2005
COLLEGE PARK, Md. --- Junior Crystal Cox tossed a two-hit shutout to lead the University of North Carolina softball team (33-23, 6-7 ACC) to a 1-0 win over homestanding Maryland (20-15, 4-6 ACC) Saturday in game one of a three game series at the Terrapin Softball Complex. Game two was halted due to rain after six innings with the score tied at 2-all. That game will be concluded Sunday at noon, prior to the regularly-scheduled third game of the series.
Jessica Young drove in the only run of the game with a double in the top of the first inning. Marissa May reached base on a walk with one out, then stole second and took third on an error. With two outs, Young drove a 2-2 pitch down the line and off the glove of Maryland's Jenny Belak to score May from third.
Cox (17-14) made sure the lead would hold up, allowing just two hits and two walks over seven innings. The Terps' best chance to get on the board came in the first, when Belak walked and advanced to third on Lindsay Klein's double. But Keri Lounge lined a bunt back to Cox, who threw to Anna Evans covering third for a rally-killing double play. No Terrapin would advance beyond second the rest of the game, and the Tar Heels took the early lead in the series.
UNC got on top early in game two as well. With two outs in the top of the second, Erica Ennis doubled to right center. Jennifer Jacobs then doubled down the right field line to score pinch-runner Ashley Oxendine and make the score 1-0. The lead would be short-lived, however, as Lounge homered just over the wall in left to score Crystal Tweedy and give Maryland a 2-1 lead.
The rain picked up in the late stages of the game, but not before the Tar Heels pushed across the equalizer. Cassie Palmer led off the top of the sixth with a walk, then took second on a Julia Bove sacrifice. Evans then belted a 1-0 pitch over the right fielder to tie the score at 2-all. UNC was unable to get more, as Evans was cut down at third on a perfect relay by the Terps. Carolina starter Ashley Allen retired the side in order in the bottom of the sixth before the umpires decided to halt the game.
The Tar Heels and Terrapins will finish game two at noon Sunday before concluding the series shortly thereafter.
