University of North Carolina Athletics
North Carolina
Maryland
Jacobs Powers No. 22 Carolina Past Maryland, 5-3
May 11, 2006 | Softball
May 11, 2006
CHAPEL HILL --- Jennifer Jacobs hit a two-out three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to lead No. 22 North Carolina past Maryland, 5-3, Thursday afternoon in the opening round of the Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament at Anderson Stadium. Crystal Cox (26-7) tied a school record with her 26th win of the season for the second-seeded Tar Heels.
The seventh-seeded Terrapins (32-26) grabbed an early lead in the top of the first inning. After an infield single and a walk, Lindsay Klein doubled to the gap in left center to score Abbey Welch.
Carolina (47-15) took the lead in the second thanks to a key Maryland error. The Tar Heels loaded the bases with no one out on two hit batters and a walk. But Joslin Higgins lined out and Emily Troup struck out to bring Breanna Brown to the plate with two away. Brown grounded to Keri Lounge at second for what appeared to be an easy force, but she dropped the ball while attempting to tag Lisa Norris, and two runs scored.
Maryland reclaimed the momentum in the fifth, courtesy of the long ball. After a leadoff walk and a sacrifice bunt, Lounge ripped a two-run shot to left to give the Terps a 3-2 lead.
But the Maryland lead would be short-lived. Singles by Ashley Oxendine and Casey Testa put two on with two outs for Carolina. Jacobs then delivered with her team-leading 10th home run of the year to put the Tar Heels ahead for good, 5-3.
Cox got into trouble again in the sixth, but a baserunning blunder by Maryland bailed her out. With the bases loaded and two Terps out, Devon Williams strayed from second base and was picked off to end the inning. The Harrisburg, N.C., senior was then at her best in the seventh, retiring Maryland in order to secure the win.
The victory was number 47 on the season, tying the school record for wins in a single season. The Tar Heels will look to break the record Friday at 12:30 p.m. in a second-round game with Virginia.
