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News Release

UMBC SWEEPS VERMONT IN AMERICA EAST DOUBLEHEADER

4/9/2005

Lauren Nicholson

Baltimore, Md. – Junior pitcher Lauren Nicholson (Audubon, N.J./Paul VI) (9-10) recorded a save in the first game and threw a shutout for a win in the second game, as UMBC (19-17-1, 3-1 America East) swept Vermont (12-8, 1-4 America East) by scores of 5-4 and 2-0 in conference play this afternoon at the UMBC Softball Stadium.

In game one, Nicholson came on in the seventh inning as UMBC had a 5-4 lead, but the Catamounts had the bases loaded with just one out. She struck out consecutive batters to get her second save of the season.

The Retrievers struck early in the game, taking a quick 3-0 lead in the first, after a two-run double by Ashlea Underwood (Visalia, Calif./Reedley JC) and an RBI single by senior Amanda Bile (Ellicott City, Md./River Hill). They added a run in the fourth, but the Catamounts would counter in the following frame with a run-scoring single from Ashley Stebbins. UMBC took a 5-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth when a wild pitch by Vermont starter Aimee Kern allowed Jessica Keenan (Binghamton, N.Y./Binghamton) to score.

In the sixth, Vermont threatened, scoring three runs off Retriever starter Amy Sadowl (Horsham, Pa./Hatboro Horsham), then loaded the bases in the seventh against reliever Jessica Taylor (Baltimore, Md./Mount de Sales), but Nicholson would come on to seal the win for UMBC.

In game two, Nicholson took a perfect game into the sixth inning, until Stebbins doubled down the left field line. The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the seventh, when Heather Bennett (Ellicott City, Md./Mt. Hebron) had a pinch-hit double to lead off, and scored on a two-run homerun by freshman Stevie Shore (New Carlisle, Ohio/Northwestern), to give UMBC the 2-0 victory.

For the game, Nicholson threw a complete game, giving up just two hits, while walking none and striking out six. After today’s games, she moved into a tie for the lead in UMBC’s history for wins (38), games started (70), and saves (5). She also moved into second all-time in innings pitched with 442.2.

Meanwhile, Kristie Pickeral (Hughesville, Md./Thomas Stone), who went 2-for-6 on the day, moved into second all-time in hits with 250. She needs just eight more to tie the school record of 258, set by Deanna Vecchio (‘02).

UMBC and Vermont will finish the three-game series tomorrow, with the final game beginning at 12 p.m.