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Kerry Hickey fired a three-hit shutout in the opener and Nikki Maier singled in the winning run in the eighth inning of the nightcap, leading Maryland (30-13) to a doubleheader sweep over Binghamton (17-14) in non-conference softball action April 19 at Taylor Stadium in College Park, Md. The Terps won the first game, 5-0,  before securing a 3-2 walkoff victory in the finale.

Maryland came into the evening with a RPI rating of No. 31, the highest ranked opponent that Binghamton has faced this season. The last time the two squads met in 2005, current Binghamton head coach Michelle Burrell was in her final season as the Terps’ top assistant coach.

Hickey improved her record to 12-6 by striking out 10 batters and not issuing a walk. The Terps got all their runs in the bottom of the first inning. With only two hits in that frame, Maryland was aided by a pair of Bearcat errors which resulted in all five runs being unearned.

Sophomore pitcher Rhoda Marsteller took the loss and is now 7-6.

In game two, senior catcher Deannie Plemon broke the scoring drought for Binghamton with a two-run single in the top of the first inning. She now ranks second on the team with 34 RBI this season and has a school-record 113 for her career.

Maryland got a run back in the bottom of the first inning on a RBI double by Marisha Branson. The Terps then deadlocked the game in the bottom of the fifth inning on a double by Vangie Galindo. Both Branson and Galindo finished the game with two hits.

It was Branson who doubled again to lead off the bottom of the eighth inning. She scored two batters later on the single by Maier.

Kendra Knight was the winning pitcher and is now 7-5. Sophomore Kate Price was tagged with the loss and is now 2-4.

Sophomore outfielder Jessica Phillips went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles in the second game. She also drew a walk. She continues to lead the America East Conference with a .500 batting average. Phillips is also tied with Plemon for the team lead with 10 doubles.