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News Release

UMBC SOFTBALL SPLITS DOUBLEHEADER WITH HARTFORD

4/17/2005

Baltimore, Md. – UMBC (21-21-1, 5-5 America East) defeated Hartford (8-12, 4-5 America East) by a score of 7-6 in the first game, but could not capitalize on four Hawk errors in the second game, as Retrievers lost the nightcap by a count of 5-4, this afternoon at the UMBC Softball Stadium.

In game one, the Retrievers jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning, as senior Kristie Pickeral hit an RBI-double and freshman Stevie Shore added a two-run single. Hartford came right back in the following frame, cutting the lead to 3-1 after a solo homerun by sophomore Nikki Thompson.

UMBC extended their lead to 5-1 in the bottom of the second after sophomore Reilly Ward doubled in freshman Kali Shirk and senior Megan Oursler. However, the Hawks tallied another run to pull to within three, after they received another solo homerun, this time from senior Ryan Williams.

Hartford would score two more in the top of the fourth to cut UMBC’s lead to 5-4, but solo homeruns from freshmen Dana Shepherd and Shore in the fourth and fifth innings, respectively, gave the Retrievers the 7-4 edge. Hartford attempted another rally, scoring two in the sixth, but would come up short as UMBC held on for the 7-6 win.

For the game, UMBC was led by Ward, who went 3-for-4 with two RBI’s, and Shore, who went 2-for-3 with 3 RBI’s. Starting pitcher Jessica Taylor (4-3) received the win, as she threw 5.1 innings, allowing six runs on six hits. Junior Amy Sadowl (3) was credited with a save, as she pitched the final 1.2 innings, allowing no hits and just one walk.

In the second game, the Hawks jumped out to a 4-0 lead, after scoring one in the first and three in the third inning. The Retrievers would counter in the bottom of the third after senior Amanda Bile homered to score both Pickeral and Shirk.

UMBC would tie the game in the fourth, when Jessica Griffith plated Ashlea Underwood with a single, but Hartford reclaimed the lead in the top of the sixth when Williams hit a two-out RBI-single to score pinch runner Michelle Mariano. The Retrievers had a few more chances as they stranded one in the sixth and two in the seventh, but could not capitalize on their opportunities.

For the game, UMBC was led by Shirk, who went 2-for-4 with one run scored. Sadowl (7-4) pitched the complete game, allowing five runs on 10 hits, while walking one and striking out seven.

Pickeral had two hits on the day, bringing her career total to 254. She needs just four more to tie Deanna Vecchio’s school record of 258.