Soon after the Terrapin softball team’s doubleheader sweep against Delaware State yesterday, pitcher Kerry Hickey nonchalantly walked out of the locker room with a blank expression on her face, her demeanor offering little hint at the feat she’d just accomplished.

For the second time this season and the 10th time in her career, Hickey tossed a no-hitter in an 8-0 win that kickstarted a two-win night for the Terps (31-19).

“I really don’t even think about it,” Hickey said. “I just think about it as we won. We get another ‘W,’ and that was our goal. … It’s a big deal — I’m happy I got it. If it happens, it happens.”

The Terps took Hickey’s series opener in just six innings, run-ruling the Hornets (23-16). As Hickey dominated Delaware State in the circle, the Terps’ offense chased two Delaware State pitchers in a rare offensive outburst.

“It’s inspiring,” infielder Nadine Blackie said of the Terps’ pitching. “They’re working their butt off for us, so we gotta do the same for them.”

Infielder Marisha Branson hit a three-run home run that put the Terps on top in the second inning, and a slew of hits in the sixth inning — including a two-RBI single from infielder Kathy McLaughlin — plated five runs to seal the victory.

Given the early dominance, coach Laura Watten later admitted she wouldn’t have been surprised to see pitcher Kendra Knight — who has a no-hitter of her own this season — toss a no-no in the nightcap as well.

That dream ended quickly, as Knight allowed a hit to the first batter she faced in the game. Though the no-hit streak ended, the commanding pitching endured in the Terps’ 5-1 win. Knight struck out 12 Hornets on the way to her 13th victory of the season, allowing only five hits and only one run.

After a hitless first two innings, the Terps broke through offensively in the third with outfielder Sara Acosta’s RBI double. In the fourth inning, infielder Nikki Maier drew an RBI walk to get the Terps on the board, and outfielder Vangie Galindo’s double down the leftfield line gave the Terps a commanding four-run lead.

“We’ve matured throughout the season,” Watten said. “They’re not the caliber the ACC is, but that’s a team that can come back. You let them have any kind of energy at all, and they’ll bite you. It’s a tough game.”

With the ACC Tournament approaching and a possible NCAA tournament berth on the horizon, the Terps knew they couldn’t afford the same blunders that haunted them in their two Towson losses. But for much of yesterday, the results were never in doubt.

“Every game matters now, even the midweek game,” Hickey said. “It was a big deal to get two ‘W’s and to win by a lot and not make them close games so it looks good trying to go into postseason.”

The Terps close out their 2010 home schedule with a doubleheader Saturday against Longwood, another unheralded nonconference team. But with almost every remaining game in their campaign a must-win, the Terps are confident they know what’s necessary to come out victorious.

“Come out intense and focused,” Hickey said, “and just take it one game at a time.”

schneider@umdbk.com