Smith Homers Twice in Loss to Terps

Saturday, April 12

Raleigh, N.C.

1:00 PM

NC State

24-19, 7-6

Maryland

29-11, 3-7

Maryland

NC State

4/12/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C. Shanna Smith went deep twice and collected three RBIs as NC State fell to Maryland, 5-3, in the second game of a doubleheader at the Curtis & Jacqueline Dail Softball Stadium on Saturday, April 12. The loss sends the Pack to 24-20 (7-7 ACC) while the Terrapins climb to 30-11 (4-7 ACC).

Lindsey Wright (3-0) remained undefeated on the year while holding State to four hits and three earned runs. Sarah Dooley picked up her third save, facing just two batters in the bottom of the seventh.

Mendy McKenzie (11-7) took the loss, allowing five earned runs and six hits. She picked up five K’s.

Alex Schultz put the Terps up with a two-run shot off of the foul pole down the left line in the top of the third.

Smith immediately tied things up in the bottom half of the frame, belting a two-run blast to dead center. Blair Harkey walked to start the inning, and Smith followed with the long ball.

Maryland forged right back ahead at 4-2 on a two RBI bloop single from Jenny Belak in the top of the fourth. Devon Williams picked up a leadoff walk, and Breanna Shaw reached on a sac-bunt back to the circle as Williams beat McKenzie’s throw to second. Niki Lau then put runners on second and third with another sac-bunt before Belak dropped a two run base knock into shallow right.

Smith was back at it again in the bottom of the fifth, shrinking Maryland’s lead to 4-3 with a solo blast to straightaway-center.

Two hits helped Maryland increase its advantage to 5-3 in the top of the sixth. Shaw doubled to center and later scored when Lau singled to nearly the same location.

Presnell walked to start the bottom of the seventh, and Lauren Peters followed with a chopper down the line in right. Presnell, however, was caught in a run down attempting to advance to third and was eventually tagged out at second. Harkey then sent a fielder’s choice towards second, and Peters was forced out.

With two outs and Smith coming to the plate, the Terps yanked Wright in favor of Dooley. Smith was walked quickly, but Mackenzie Mangum lined out to second to end the evening.

State and Maryland will wrap up the series tomorrow, Sunday, April 13, with a 1 p.m. meeting. Senior Day festivities will be held before the first pitch.