Feb. 5, 2007
The sights and sounds that have been emanating from the University of Maryland's softball complex this past fall and winter have been the kind coaches like to see and hear. As second-year coach Laura Watten tells it, they reflect the work ethic, intensity, and single-mindedness of a Terrapin team poised to make a run at the program's first NCAA tournament appearance since 1999.
A roster featuring 11 returnees from last year's 32-27 squad has been infused with nine talented newcomers - including five Division I transfers - and the resulting blend has quickly elevated prospects and expectations for Watten's team, but none more so than those of the players and coaches themselves.
"I definitely feel that this team is poised and focused on making a run at an NCAA bid," says Watten, who is in her second season as the Terps' head coach after a successful stint at Bethune-Cookman College, where she led the Wildcats to the Super Regionals in 2005. "The enthusiasm and excitement in our returning players and freshmen, but most importantly, the addition of five transfer players who have competed consistently in postseason play at their former colleges, has fused into a very hungry and eager chemistry throughout the program. The growth of this team during the fall season was fun to watch and experience, and, although we cannot predict the outcome of our season, this is a team that is driven to achieve their goals, which means reaching the top on a consistent basis, one opponent at a time."
PITCHING
Watten likes the makeup of her pitching staff, which features a pair of returning veterans and a senior transfer from Tennessee with 34 career wins to her credit. Add in the possibility that first baseman Lindsay Klein may return to the pitcher's circle, where she enjoyed tremendous high school and club team success, and it's easy to see why Watten is excited about her stable of arms in 2007.
"Overall, our pitching staff is physically extremely versatile, while at the same time possessing the greatest leaders on the field," says Watten. "We have the ability to rotate, make adjustments and challenge the toughest offensive teams in the country with the experience, mentality and depth in the circle."
Stacey Jennings was one of the Terps' key off-season transfers; the senior from Aurora, Colo., posted a 34-21 record in three seasons at Tennessee, appearing in 90 games (61 starts) during the 2003, 2004 and 2005 seasons. Twenty-one of her victories came during her freshman year of 2003, when she turned in one of the best seasons ever (21-15, 1.73) by a Vol rookie.
Watten is hopeful for a breakout season by Meredith Nelles, who went 9-9 in 36 appearances as a freshman in 2006. Nelles underwent surgery to repair disk damage in her back this fall and is expected to be at full strength when the season opens in mid-February.
Senior Abbey Welch also figures prominently in Maryland's pitching plans in 2007. A two-way player who also saw significant time as a starting outfielder last season, Welch worked 68 innings last season and posted a 2-5 record with a 3.29 ERA.
A wild card in the Terps' pitching plans could be Klein, one of the team veterans who has played exclusively at first base during her career but did make one appearance in the pitcher's circle last year. The Terps' coaching staff worked with Klein extensively this fall in hopes of rekindling the success she enjoyed at El Modena High in southern California, when she compiled a career record of 73-22 (0.69 ERA). Klein likely will be used in a relief role.
CATCHING
Although this is a position dominated by transfers and newcomers, it is shaping up as an area of strength for the Terps, according to Watten. Senior Jennifer Wellborn, a senior transfer from Birmingham Southern, and junior transfer Brittany Bessho, who played the 2004 and 2005 seasons at Tennessee, are expected to combine for a solid 1-2 punch at a position that was handled last year by the now graduated Nikki Smith. Both Wellborn and Bessho bring extensive Division I experience to the Terrapin program.
Wellborn was a late-summer pickup by the Terps after electing to transfer once Birmingham Southern officials decided to drop its athletic program from Division I to Division III. The Colorado native enters 2007 with 159 career Division I appearances to her credit, and is coming off the best year of her three seasons as a Panther, when she established career highs in batting average (.293), homers (9) and RBIs (34).
Bessho, a native of Georgia, made 64 career starts at UT, helping the Vols to the school's first-ever College World Series appearance in 2005. She caught four no-hitters as a freshman, and she batted .236 and posted a perfect fielding percentage as a sophomore. She sat out the past year at Maryland while satisfying NCAA transfer regulations.
Alex Gagne, a true freshman from Mission Viejo, Calif., is expected to lend quality depth as a rookie once she returns to full health. Gagne, a member of Watten's initial recruiting class, has been recuperating from a major knee injury suffered during her senior year of high school. Junior Medley McGuire, one of the team's most inspirational players during her two seasons in a Terp uniform, should also contribute in a utility role.
"Our catching staff is deep with experience and leadership," says Watten. "Jennifer [Wellborn] and Brittany [Bessho] possess the knowledge and aggressive attitude necessary to lead and direct the field of play. They have the confidence of their pitchers and teammates and are an extremely important asset to the leadership on the field. Alex Gagne will spend a good amount of the spring season gaining strength and healing, while working with the pitching/catching staff on development, and Medley will continue to do the same as well."
INFIELD
When Watten sizes up her infield personnel, she sees a talent pool that is as deep as it is wide. From one corner to the other, the Terps boast perhaps the most talented collection of infielders in program history. Not only do all four starters return from the second-best defensive squad in the ACC last year, but the Terps have added a pair of stellar transfers from Bethune-Cookman College -- three-time All-American shortstop Amber Jackson and her sister, Sarde Stewart, who significantly upgrades the Terps' depth with her ability to play both corner positions.
Jackson and Stewart, who played instrumental roles in Bethune-Cookman's run to the NCAA Super Regionals two years ago, join a group of infielders that includes all four returning starters from the 2006 squad: first baseman Lindsay Klein, third baseman Lindsey Ubrun, second baseman Keri Lounge, and shortstop Whitney Reigel. In addition, Bessho has the experience and ability to help out at third base.
"Overall, our infield is a great strength for us in 2007," Watten says. "In our first recruiting year for the program, we have added leadership, experience, speed, arm strength and enthusiasm to fill gaps left by graduates of 2006. With so many new players on the field, our greatest focus in the fall season was to create as many opportunities as possible for the defense to `gel' and become a more cohesive unit. We were able to fine-tune our opportunity areas, while at the same time focus on perfecting our strengths. Our infield production will benefit from the added arm strength and range from the middle infielders as well as from the experience and sound skill on the corners."
Klein and Lounge, who have been starters since their freshman years, have been mainstays on the right side of the infield since joining the Terps in 2004. Each has started well over 150 games the past three seasons, and both have proven ability to hit for average and power. Klein, a first-team All-ACC selection in 2005, rates among the top hitters in program history, ranking third in average (.297), fifth in homers (16) and fifth in RBI's (101) entering her final collegiate season.
Lounge, likewise, prominently figures on a number of Maryland's career batting lists, ranking first in triples (8), sixth in runs batted in (109), and sixth in homers (15). A clutch hitter as a Terp, Lounge set career bests in triples (6) and homers (5) last year while driving in 31 runs.
At third base, the Terps welcome back sophomore Lindsey Ubrun, a member of the All-ACC second team as a freshman in 2006. Ubrun, who like Klein hails from southern California, ranked fourth in the ACC in homers (11) last year - she was second among freshmen - in addition to ranking in the ACC's top 10 in RBI's (9th, 37), total bases (6th, 98) and slugging percentage (6th, .590). Ubrun's 11 HR's and 37 RBI's led the Terps.
Reigel, a junior, stepped in and played admirably at shortstop last year, but will likely shift to another position to make way for Jackson. Reigel is a versatile defensive player who can also play second and has been working in the outfield. Jackson, who has one season of eligibility remaining, is a career .465 hitter who has belted 34 homers and driven in 175 runs during her career, but she may be even more accomplished from a defensive standpoint, utilizing her size, speed and range to help shut down the left side of the infield to opposing batters.
Stewart, Jackson's sister and former Bethune-Cookman teammate, transfers in with two seasons of eligibility remaining. This past fall, she showed she can handle both first base and third base in addition to adding another powerful bat to the Terrapins' lineup.
Sophomore Devon Williams' versatility allows her to help out at second and third, while true freshman Alex Schultz, a prep standout from Colorado, is expected to lend depth in the middle infield positions. Both Williams and Schultz have the ability to help out in the outfield.
OUTFIELD
The Terps return three letterwinners to the outfield, headed by junior Jenny Belak, a dangerous weapon offensively and defensively because of her outstanding speed, and Welch, who is expected to see significant time in center field when not in the pitcher's circle. Junior Meghan Booth, who played in 45 games (38 starts) a year ago, rounds out the trio of returning letterwinners.
Newcomers include Jennings, who figures to play a prominent role in right field when not working in the pitchers' circle, and speedy walk-on Tierra Booth. Other potential contributors include infielders Reigel and Schultz, both of whom are being developed to work in the outfield, and Erica Strudler, who returns after redshirting as a true freshman last year.
Belak has been the Terps' leadoff hitter the past two seasons; she significantly improved her offensive numbers as a sophomore, finishing as the Terps' leading hitter (.359) in addition to belting out eight doubles, three triples and stealing a team-high 13 bases. In two seasons, she has swiped 20 bases in 28 attempts. The versatile outfielder, who can play all three outfield positions, has seen time mostly in right field and center during her career.
Welch has been a solid and consistent contributor the past two seasons since transferring from Longwood College in Virginia. When not in the pitcher's circle, where she has fashioned a 9-9 career record as a Terp, she has spent a significant amount of time patrolling center field, where she has been a dependable defensive fixture with a solid arm.
Booth, who also has the ability to play all three outfield positions, was a 38-game starter a year ago and is expected to see significant playing time again this season.
"Our outfield strengths are depth in position, arm strength and experience," Watten says. "We will be led by two seniors and one junior, while ensuring that we have options for rotation when Stacey [Jennings] and Abbey [Welch] are being utilized on the mound."
SCHEDULE
A demanding schedule - both in and out of conference play - awaits the 2007 edition of the Terrapin softball program. In all, Maryland will face 18 teams that advanced to the 2006 NCAA Tournament, including three that advanced to the College World Series and eight that were ranked in the final USA Today/NFCA Top 25 poll of 2006.
The Terps launch their 2007 campaign in mid-February with three consecutive tournaments on the road, including a second straight appearance in the Palm Springs Classic, a four-day, 25-team festival Feb. 22-25 generally regarded as the nation's top in-season tournament. The Terps' six-game slate includes matchups with Nevada, Texas, UCLA, Loyola Marymount, Cal, and UNLV. The field includes six of last year's eight WCWS teams.
Prior to their trip to Palm Springs, however, the Terps venture first to Boca Raton, Fla., where they will meet 2005 NCAA champion Michigan on the opening day of the FAU-Dunkin' Donuts Classic, slated for Feb. 16-18. After competing at Palm Springs a week later, the Terps return to Florida to participate in the March 2-4 USF-Louisville Slugger Classic hosted by South Florida.
A 33-game home slate at newly-named Robert E. Taylor Stadium gets underway with back-to-back tournaments hosted by the Terrapins - the March 9-11 Maryland Invitational and the March 16-18 Terrapin Spring Break Invitational.
Maryland will open its 21-game Atlantic Coast Conference slate at the end of March when it travels to Charlottesville to take on Virginia March 24-25. One week later, the Terps are back on the road for a three-game conference series at Florida State before returning home for ACC matchups vs. North Carolina (April 7-8) and Georgia Tech (April 14-15). Maryland then heads back on the road for an April 21-22 series vs. Virginia Tech - one of five ACC teams that appeared in the NCAA Regionals last year - before returning to College Park to play host to ACC rivals NC State (April 28-29) and Boston College (May 5-6).
The annual Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament is slated for May 10-13 in Tallahassee, Fla. The NCAA's road to the Women's College World Series gets underway the following week, May 18-20.
