Softball Announces Transfers for 2006-07
10/3/2006 8:00:00 AM | Softball
Oct. 3, 2006
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - University of Maryland softball head coach Laura Watten announced the new student-athletes for the 2006-07 year. Transfers Amber Jackson and Sarde Stewart both hail from Fontana, Calif., Jennifer Wellborn, a Parker, Colo. native, and Stacy Jennings, from Aurora, Colo., join the Terrapins for the fall 2006 season.
Two of the new student-athletes played under head coach Laura Watten at Bethune-Cookman, while Jennings played three years with the Lady Vols of Tennessee and Wellborn played at Birmingham Southern College. The new Terps join junior-transfer Brittany Bessho and freshmen Nicole Lau, Alex Gagne, and Alex Schultz.
Jackson, a senior transfer from Bethune-Cookman College, was named an All-American and Louisville Slugger in 2005. She was nationally ranked in six statistical categories in the NCAA in 2005, including first in the nation in runs per game (1.13) and fifth in batting average (.453). In her three-years as a Wildcat shortstop, she recorded a .464 career batting average, 175 RBI, 204 runs and was 75-of-81 in stolen bases. Jackson helped Bethune-Cookman earn two MEAC conference titles (2003-04) and a berth to the 2005 NCAA Super Regionals in 2005.
"Amber is a stellar addition to our program and as an All-American at Bethune-Cookman College, she has established herself as one of the best players in the country," head coach Laura Watten said. "She brings a great amount of leadership and experience to the team and has an incredible drive for success. She is an exciting player to watch as well as coach."
The second Fontana, Calif. native and former B-CC standout, Sarde Stewart, batted .320 and posted only two errors last season as an infielder. Stewart, Jackson's younger sister, finished the year with 33 hits and has registered 27 multi-hit games in her career. She was named MEAC Rookie of the Year and garnered First Team All-MEAC honors in 2005.
"Sarde has worked extremely hard in the off season, and brings a tremendous amount of commitment and all-around competitiveness to the team," said Watten. "She is an excellent hitter as well as defensive player, and garners unity and a cohesive atmosphere among her teammates."
A product from Birmingham-Southern College, Jennifer Wellborn earned Big South Conference All-Academic Team honors and is a welcome addition to the Terps. She posted a .293 batting average last season. In her three years as a Panther, Wellborn registered 82 RBIs and had 115 hits. The Parker, Colo.-native will play catcher for the Terps.
"Jennifer is one of the best catchers I have ever seen. She is fundamentally sound and fiercely competitive," Watten said. "We are very lucky to have her as a part of the Terrapin program. She has stepped in and taken on a strong leadership role on the field."
Stacey Jennings, a dual-threat as pitcher and outfielder, joins the Terps as a senior transfer from the University of Tennessee. Jennings is a former USA Softball National Collegiate Player of the Week and SEC Player of the Week. She has pitched 365.3 innings for a 1.82 career ERA, with 240 strikeouts and four saves, recording a 0.94 ERA in 2005. She also holds a .278 career batting average. In 2003, the Colorado-native and pitched a perfect game versus UNLV.
"Stacey is an excellent leader, player and we are very excited to have her on our team," said Watten. "She leads by example and brings a great level of competitiveness to the roster. We look forward to Stacey setting a strong tone on the mound as our leading pitcher, as well as being a great offensive threat."
