March 20, 2001

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland Softball squad (16-11) hosts the Drexel Dragons today and Towson Tigers on Wednesday before making its spring break trip to the Buzz Classic in Marietta, Ga. The Terps are coming off a 2-2 weekend at the rain-shortened Tallahassee Democrat-Florida State Invitational, picking up a pair of hard-fought wins over Troy State and Syracuse and falling to No. 21 Michigan and Massacusetts.

The Terrapins meet Drexel in today's doubleheader for the first time since 1998, and take on a familiar opponent in the local Tigers. Maryland plays Towson tomorrow in a single game event at the North Softball Complex at 1 p.m.

Highlights: Terps In The Florida State Invitational
Several key performances led Maryland to its 2-2 slate at the Tallahassee Democrat-FSU Invitational. Advancing to the championship bracket quarterfinals and ready for a shot at ACC rival Florida State, the Terps' run was cut short by inclement weather.

The Terrapins were led by senior starting pitcher Jenn Shellhammer's (Slatington, Pa.) two victories on the weekend. The right-hander struck out seven in 11 innings pitched, allowing only three runs for a 1.91 ERA.

Junior catcher Beth Radford (Dunkirk, Md.) asserted herself at the plate, going 5-for-10 (.500) with a double, a walk, a run scored and three RBI. The two-time Mid-Atlantic Region selection registered hits in every game over the weekend.

Maryland's senior outfielders also made steady contributions throughout the event. Right fielder Annmarie Browne (Lansdale, Pa.) went 5-for-12 (.417) with two runs and two sacrifice hits, while centerfielder Michelle Burrell (Owego, N.Y.) put in a 5-for-15 (.333) effort that included a homer, a double, three runs scored and three RBI.

LaMandre Approaches Milestone
Now in her seventh season, Terp head coach Gina LaMandre is only four victories shy of the 200 win milestone. Guiding the softball squad to a 16-11 slate headed into today's games, the mentor owns a 196-164-1 (.544) career record.

LaMandre came to College Park to construct Maryland's softball program in 1995. Originally without the aid of athletic scholarships, the coach brought Maryland from its humble beginnings into the national spotlight, capturing a share of the ACC Championship in the third year of the program's existence in 1997. In 1999 the Terrapins won the ACC/SASA regular season title, earning the squad's first NCAA tournament berth and shattering school and conference records en route to the regional final game.

The head coach was honored ACC Coach of the Year in 1999 and NFCA Mid-Atlantic Coach of the Year in 1996, 1997 and 1999.

Dragons' Lair: Scouting Drexel
The Drexel Dragons come to College Park from Philadelphia, Pa., and the America East conference. The Dragons own a 6-9 slate so far in 2001.

At the plate, the Dragons are led by senior shortstop Kelly Donohoe's .474 batting average and sophomore Rachel Levinson's seven RBI. Junior Laura Tynio poses a double-threat for Drexel, boasting a .310 batting average and a team-best 2.26 ERA. Senior Lori Swanson has collected a Dragon-high four wins in the pitcher's circle.

Head coach Renee Clark is in her second year at the helm of the Dragons. Drexel was 17-27 in 2000.

Maryland owns a 3-1 series advantage over Drexel. The schools played doubleheaders in 1997 and 1998 and are meeting today for the first time in three seasons.