Smith Walk Off Stymies Terrapins, 3-1

Saturday, April 12

Raleigh, N.C.

3:00 PM

NC State

24-20, 7-7

Maryland

30-11, 4-7

Maryland

NC State

4/12/2008 12:00:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

RALEIGH, N.C. Not even a two hour and 21 minute rain delay could deter NC State in a 3-1 decision over Maryland at the Curtis & Jacqueline Dail Softball Stadium on Saturday, April 12. Shanna Smith blasted her team-leading eighth home run of the year with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, pushing the Pack past the Terrapins.

In all Smith went 2-for-3 with two RBIs, two runs scored and a walk.

The win moves State to 24-19 (7-6 ACC) on the year, while Maryland falls to 29-11 (3-7 ACC). Lindsay Campana (13-13) grabbed the decision, allowing no earned runs and five hits will striking out eight. Sarah Dooley (13-8) started the affair and took the loss for the Terps, despite the fact that it was Kerry Hickey who gave up the big knock to Smith.

The Terrapins had the first scoring opportunity of the game in the top of the third, putting runners on second and third with two outs. Campana, however, mowed down Breanna Shaw to keep Maryland off the scoreboard.

The Pack loaded the bases in the bottom half of the third, but failed to cash in. Allison Presnell singled up the middle and Lauren Peters reached on a sac-bunt when Devon Williams misplayed the ball. Smith later walked to load the bases with one out, but Mackenzie Mangum popped up to short and Alyssa Allbritten grounded out to first.

Maryland got the first run of the game in the top of the fourth. Brittany Bessho smacked a double to left-center, and then the rains came. When play resumed Williams singled to left and Bessho scored on an E7 by Ashleigh Davis.

Two doubles knotted the score at 1-all in the bottom of the sixth. Smith led off with a two-bagger to right-center and moved to second on a sac-bunt from Davis. Kristine Bechtholdt later brought Smith around with another double into right-center.

A leadoff walk and a base hit through the left side put runners on first and second with one out for Maryland in the top of the seventh, but Meghan Booth popped up to second and Niki Lau got doubled up at first.

State found a way to avoid extra innings and get it done in the bottom of the seventh. Presnell picked up a free pass and moved to third on back-to-back sac-bunts from Peters and Blair Harkey. With two outs the Terrapins decided to place Hickey in the circle, who promptly gave up a walk off two-run jack to Smith.

Both teams will stay on the field to begin game two of today’s doubleheader shortly.