Amber Jackson led off the bottom of the first with a home run, and from that first at-bat, the Terrapin softball team was in complete control of yesterday’s doubleheader against Georgetown.
Jackson went 3-for-3, with each hit leaving the park; after the three-homer day, Jackson now leads the ACC with 16 home runs in the season.
The Terps emulated Jackson’s performance by smacking six homers, including a grand slam by Stacey Jennings, in the two games to beat Georgetown 8-0 and 14-0. The Terps dominated throughout the doubleheader as their offense blew the Hoyas away.
Every player recorded a hit except Alex Gagne, who pinch hit late in game two, and Keri Lounge, who left the first game after fouling a ball straight up into her mouth.
With the blitzkrieg of homers behind them, the Terp pitchers shut down the Hoyas with impressive velocity that the Hoyas just could not catch up to. The pitchers, Stacey Jennings and Meredith Nelles, said the big leads allowed them to feel more comfortable on the mound.
“It helps a lot,” Jennings said. “It helps me be more confident to know the defense is behind me and the offense can score.”
Throughout both games, the Terps were consistent, making no errors in the field and dominating at the plate. During the season, consistency has been a problem for the Terps, who have been unable to carry over performances like this to their next game, even in a doubleheader.
Yesterday proved to be no problem for them.
“It’s been our thing this year,” coach Laura Watten said. “I feel like we can beat any team in the country as long as we are consistent. I hope they can stay in the zone.”
For Jackson, it seems as if she’s been in the zone all season long.
“Lately I’ve been taking it one pitch at a time and keeping it simple,” Jackson said.
Contact reporter Patsy Morrow at sports@dbk.umd.edu.
