Maryland Softball Opens ACC Play Against Georgia Tech

March 17, 2006

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -

The Maryland Terrapins (11-10) open ACC play on Saturday as they head to Atlanta, Ga. for a three-game series with Georgia Tech (22-6) from March 18-19. It will be the first Atlantic Coast Conference action of the year for both teams. In 2005, the Terps finished with a 5-9 record in the league, while the Yellow Jackets were top in the conference at 11-4.

Senior catcher Nikki Smith leads Maryland with a .391 batting average and three home runs, while rightfielder Jenny Belak holds the team-high of 28 hits and 15 runs. In the pitcher's circle, Crystal Crews leads the Terrapins with a 1.39 ERA and 93 strikeouts over 80.1 innings pitched.

The Terps come into the series with the Yellow Jackets after dropping both games of a doubleheader against James Madison on Wednesday. The Terps won four straight last weekend in the Mason-Dixon Classic, allowing only three runs over four games.

Maryland and Georgia Tech are tied in the overall series, 16-16. Last season, the Terps won one of three matchups which included snapping a 12-game losing streak with a 2-1 win over then No. 17/18 Georgia Tech. Abbey Welch helped keep the Yellow Jackets to one hit on the day.

SCOUTING THE YELLOW JACKETS

The Yellow Jackets, with a 3-2 record at home, stand at 22-6 as they enter conference play against the Terps. Georgia Tech comes into the weekend after falling to the University of Massachusetts, 2-1, in the USF adidas Invitational.

Georgia Tech holds a .336 team batting average and a .512 slugging percentage. Leading the Yellow Jackets offensively is freshman Whitney Haller, with a .438 batting average. She also has the team-high of 39 hits, 28 runs and ten home runs. The Yellow Jackets' senior shortstop, Christine Sheridan, has 24 RBI for the squad and a .352 batting average. Sophomore pitcher Whitney Humphries has a 12-1 record with a 1.86 ERA over 77.1 innings pitched.

All three games against Georgia Tech can be followed on Game Tracker. First pitch is slated for 12:00 p.m. and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and 12:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Maryland Softball Opens ACC Play Against Georgia Tech

Related News

Related Videos

Footer