The Terrapins softball team split its doubleheader against North Carolina Saturday at Anderson Softball Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C.
A two-run home run by catcher Shannon Bustillos in the seventh inning gave the Terps the lead in a 12-11 victory in Game 2. The win is the second of the season for the Terps (2-23, 1-4 ACC) and halts their 17-game losing streak.
Trailing 11-7 after four innings, pitchers Kaitlyn Schmeiser and Hannah Dewey shut out the Tar Heels in the final three innings. On offense, the Terps scored runs in each of the final three innings, capping it off with Bustillos’ home run take the lead for good.
The Terps used the long ball for the majority of their offensive production, as their three home runs accounted for seven runs scored. The first was a three-run shot by infielder Jessica Warner in the third inning with the Terps down 7-2. Outfielder Juli Strange, who replaced Bridget Hawvermale in right field in the fifth, made an immediate impact at the plate. Her solo home run in the fifth came in response to a four-run Tar Heel inning and cut the lead to 11-8.
In Game 1, the Tar Heels earned the 11-5 victory, but Bustillos and Warner combined for five hits.
Infielder Candice Beards had her best offensive performance of the season, going 2-for-4 with four RBIs. Her three-run home run in the fifth gave the Terps a 4-3 lead. Schmeiser couldn’t close the door, though, allowing six runs on seven hits over the last two innings.
The Terps will look to win their first series of the season Sunday at 10 a.m.
