Terp Softball Set For Saturday Matchup Against NC State

April 1, 2006

RALEIGH, N.C. -

The University of Maryland softball team continues ACC play this weekend in a three-game series with the North Carolina State Wolfpack. The Terps (18-15, 1-5 ACC) will face off against the Wolfpack (30-12, 4-2 ACC) first on Saturday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., then on Sunday at 1 p.m.

The Terrapins (18-15, 1-5 ACC) are coming off four consecutive wins, with victories in five of their last six games. Maryland swept a doubleheader from Brown (8-0 in 6 innings and 4-1) on March 28. The Terps were led by Lindsay Klein with five RBI, five hits and two runs on the day. Lindsey Ubrun had three RBI and a home run. Jenny Belak and Keri Lounge had three hits apiece in the twinbill.

After 33 games, Maryland is hitting .264 with a .336 on-base percentage. Six Terrapins are hitting better than their 2005 season averages. On defense, the Terps are tops in the ACC with a .971 fielding percentage, ahead of NC State at No. 2 and North Carolina in third position.

Rightfielder Belak leads the team with a .398 batting average, eight stolen bases and a .435 on-base percentage. Klein (.316) and Nikki Smith (.312) are two other key players behind the plate as Klein holds the most RBI (22), while Smith posts the team-high slugging percentage (.558).

In the pitcher's circle, senior Crystal Crews and freshman Meredith Nelles lead for Maryland. Crews is 11-6, with 122 strikeouts over 109.1 innings pitched. Nelles holds a 2.73 ERA over 71.2 innings and a 6-7 record.

Scouting the Wolfpack

NC State (30-12, 4-2 ACC) is currently tied with Virginia Tech and North Carolina for second place in the ACC. The Wolfpack took a doubleheader this week from Kent State, 2-0 and 5-0. Shaina Ervin and Abbie Sims paired up on the day, as Ervin had a one-hit shutout had nine strikeouts in the first game. Sims struck out 13 in the second outing.

Prior to the doubleheader with Kent State, the Wolfpack dropped two of a three-game series with the Virginia Tech Hokies.

Collectively, the Wolfpack is hitting .235 and is led by junior Heather Gelbard with a .311 batting average, six home runs and a team-high of 42 hits. Miranda Ervin holds the team-high of 29 RBI and a .556 slugging percentage. Sophomore Shana Smith has recorded the most runs for the team (33), a .281 batting average and 32 hits over 42 games. She is one of three players that has played all 42 games this season.

In the circle for the Wolfpack, Abbie Sims has the most appearances for the Wolfpack (24). Sims holds a 15-7 record, 179 strikeouts over 140.2 innings pitched for a 1.84 ERA. Shaina Ervin posts a 1.16 ERA and a 9-2 record in 16 appearances. Megan Dalthorp has helped in as relief and has pitched 70.1 for a 6-2 record.

Through six ACC games, NC State's Jennifer Chamberlain leads the team in hits (8) and home runs (4).

Series Notes - Terps vs. Wolfpack

Saturday's game will mark just the fifth meeting between the Terrapins and the Wolfpack. Maryland leads the all-time series, 3-1.

Last year's game, which advanced the Terps to the semi-final round of the 2005 ACC Championship in College Park, MD., was an eight-inning nail-biter. Former Terrapin outfielder Crystal Tweedy hit an RBI single to bring Natalie Grossman home in the eighth for the 3-2 win. Crews served as relief pitcher and allowed no runs on two hits and three strikeouts in 3.1 innings pitched.

First pitch at the Walnut Creek Complex is at 1 p.m. today.

Terp Softball Set For Saturday Matchup Against NC State

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