Maryland Softball Faces Beltway Rival George Mason In Wednesday Doubleheader

April 12, 2006

COLLEGE PARK, Md. -

The University of Maryland softball team continues its home stand as the Terps host George Mason in a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday. The Terps (23-17, 4-7 ACC) will face off against the Patriots (1-37, 1-7 CAA) at 5 p.m. in an evening doubleheader at the Terrapin Softball Complex.

The Terrapins have won nine of their last eleven games, including a doubleheader over No. 24 Virginia Tech on Sunday (April 9). In the series against the Hokies, the Terps won the first game in eight innings on Lindsey Ubrun's RBI double for the 1-0 win, followed by a 5-1 victory highlighted by a third-inning grand slam by senior catcher, Nikki Smith. In the series against the Delaware State Hornets, Maryland won the games 10-1 and 6-5 (April 5).

On the week, the Terps were led by third base freshman starter Lindsey Ubrun who batted .600 with five RBI, two home runs and a double. Ubrun was named ACC Player of the Week for her efforts, the first for the Terps this year. Her home run marked the fourth of the year, as Smith leads all Terrapins with five.

Collectively, Maryland is hitting .259 with a .382 slugging percentage. Lead-off hitter Jenny Belak continues to lead the team, holding a .364 batting average with the team-high of 48 hits and 23 runs to date. First base junior Lindsay Klein is second for the squad with a .313 average, posting the most doubles (10) and tied with Ubrun for most RBI (24).

The Terps are No. 1 in the ACC with a .972 fielding percentage, ahead of NC State and North Carolina in third position.

Maryland hurlers Crystal Crews and freshman Meredith Nelles dominate the Terps in the circle. Crews is 14-8, with 156 strikeouts over 140 innings pitched. She is second in the league in shutouts (5) and is tied for first with the most appearances (10). Nelles has made consistent progress in her first season, posting a 2.88 ERA in 75.1 innings pitched, holding the No. 3 spot in the league in strikeouts per game (8.95).

Scouting the Patriots

George Mason (1-37, 1-7 CAA) is coming off two losses to Hofstra last week in Fairfax, Va. Designated hitter Emily Miller registered had two RBI and one hit in the doubleheader against Hofstra. Rachel Hasting (0-7) and Alison Bryan (0-6) paired up in the first game, with Ariel Weinkofsky pitching her tenth complete game for the Patriots in the latter contest.

The Patriots are hitting .214 and are led by Ciera Jones who posts a .457 batting average for the team. Kelsey Mack has notched the most hits (30), runs (16) and home runs (5) for the team, while holding a .280 batting average. Jones and Mack lead the team with six doubles on the season for the Patriots. Miller has registered the most RBI (13), a .259 batting average and has played in 37-of-37 games this season.

In the circle for the Patriots, Weinkofsky has the most appearances for George Mason (21). Weinkofsky holds a 1-16 record, 68 strikeouts over 96.2 innings pitched for a 5.21 ERA. Hastings posts 51.1 innings pitched for the squad, with only 15 walks. Amber Straube has helped in, pitching 46.1 innings, with 30 K's.

Series Notes - Terps vs. Patriots

Wednesday's game will mark the 31st meeting between the Terrapins and the Patriots. Maryland leads the all-time series, 23-7.

Maryland faced George Mason earlier in the season at the Mason-Dixon Classic in Virginia Beach, Va. In the March 10 contest, Nelles had twelve strikeouts for her second win of the season. Five Terrapins had multi-hits in the game, with Ubrun posted four of the 14 hits in the game, while Rachel Greyson recorded two RBI. The Terps held a 6-0 lead through the top of the seventh, when the Patriots scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh, yet Nelles fanned the last batter to hold the 6-3 win for the Terps.

Important Parking Information

Fans planning to attend the Wednesday, April 12 Maryland softball doubleheader with George Mason can park free in lot 4B beginning at 4 p.m. No permit is required. Parking in lot 4B prior to 4 p.m. without a valid permit, or parking in lots other than 4B without a valid permit, could result in a parking ticket.

First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m., admission is free. The game can also be followed on Gametracker at www.umterps.com.

Maryland Softball Faces Beltway Rival George Mason In Wednesday Doubleheader

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