April 17, 2007
COLLEGE PARK, Md. -
Amber Jackson will be looking to make NCAA history when Maryland takes the field against George Washington Wednesday at 4 p.m. for a midweek doubleheader. The senior shortstop needs only three stolen bases to become just the 12th player in NCAA history to record 300 hits, 200 runs, and 100 stolen bases in her career. She currently has 326 hits, 244 runs, and 97 stolen bases.
Jackson played from 2003-2005 at Bethune-Cookman College, under current Maryland coach Laura Watten, before transferring to Maryland and sitting out the 2006 season. She leads the team in several statistical categories this year, including batting average (.373), runs (41), home runs (16), RBIs (42), slugging percentage (.900), walks (38), and stolen bases (23). Her 16 homers and .900 slugging percentage lead the ACC, and she is also best in the conference in stolen bases and walks per game.
With 15 games to go in the regular season, the Terrapins will need every bit of Jackson's offense as they try to gain momentum heading into the ACC tournament. The Terps have been up and down recently, but showed their potential for greatness in big wins over Georgetown and North Carolina last week. If the Terps can hit like they did in those wins, the team can excel going forward.
The recent play of Lindsey Ubrun is another source of optimism for the Terps. The sophomore has three home runs in her last four games, including two in the opener against Georgia Tech last Saturday. Last season Ubrun hit 11 home runs to lead the Terps, and was a second team all-ACC selection.
George Washington stands at 18-17 on the season, and 5-7 in the Atlantic 10 Conference. The Colonials are coming off a 4-3 win over St. Bonaventure Saturday which ended a four game losing streak.
Elana Meyers leads George Washington with a .388 average, and six Colonials have recorded double-digit RBIs on the year, led by Meyers' 18. Amanda Gabriel has been the Colonials most impressive weapon from the pitcher's circle. The freshman from Fullerton, Calif., owns a 2.15 ERA and a 10-6 record on the year.
Maryland has won its last 12 games against non-conference opponents since dropping a 4-1 decision to Princeton in the Maryland Invitational on March 10.
Following Wednesday's action, the Terps travel to Blacksburg, Virginia to take on Virginia Tech and reining ACC player and pitcher of the year Angela Tincher. Despite the recent tragedy at Virginia Tech, the teams have decided to play the series as scheduled. Tincher has eighteen shutouts on the year, 27 wins, and a season ERA of .45.
