Maryland to Battle ACC-Leading Virginia Tech
4/20/2007 8:00:00 AM | Softball
Complete Release in PDF Format
Download Free Acrobat Reader
April 20, 2007
Blacksburg, Va. - Looking to build some late season ACC momentum, the Terrapins travel to Blacksburg, Va., to take on the conference-leading Virginia Tech Hokies, and defending ACC player and pitcher of the year Angela Tincher.
In light of the recent tragedy on the campus, the Virginia Tech athletic department decided it was in the best interest of their students and athletic teams to resume play this weekend.
Maryland's student-athletes, including the softball and women's lacrosse players who play in Blacksburg this weekend, will adorn orange and maroon ribbons to their uniforms during upcoming competition as a measure of respect for the victims of Monday's shooting. Saturday's softball game will include a 32 second moment of silence before the opening pitch, in memory of the 32 victims.
The Virginia Tech softball squad, riding Tincher's powerful arm, took control of the ACC last weekend with a 2-0 series sweep of North Carolina. The Hokies now stand at 11-3 in the conference and 36-12 overall.
Tincher was nothing short of spectacular against the Heels, pitching nineteen innings in the two games, and allowed only 11 hits with 33 strike outs. The senior, who is a candidate for national player of the year, owns a 27-4 season record and an ERA of .45.
To have any success against Tincher, the Terps will have to be smart with their bats, and get strong performances from their own pitching staff to keep from falling behind early.
Maryland has proven it has the firepower to light up the scoreboard, but the Terps will need to bring their best to earn hits against Tincher. Amber Jackson and Jennifer Wellborn lead the way for the Terps offensively, and both own batting averages which rank near the top of the ACC. The dynamic duo has combined for 24 home runs and 70 RBIs.
Lindsey Ubrun has been heating up in recent weeks, and adds another dangerous bat to Terrapin lineup to go along with Jackson, Wellborn, and Lindsay Klein. Ubrun, a sophomore, has four home runs in her last five games.
Maryland owns an 8-3 edge all time against Virginia Tech. Last season the Terps took two from the Hokies in the regular season, only to fall to Virginia Tech when the teams met for a third time in the ACC tournament. Two of those games ended with 1-0 scores, and the Terps can expect more closely contested defensive battles with Tincher in the circle this weekend.
Jackson should finally join the 3-2-1 club this weekend. The senior needs only one more stolen base for the hundredth of her career. Reaching that mark would make her only the 12th player in NCAA history with 300 hits, 200 runs, and 100 stolen bases. Jackson currently has 328 hits, 246 runs, 99 stolen bases.
Members of the 3-2-1 Club
(Compiled with help from the 2007 NCAA Softball Records Book)
• Nicole Barber, Georgia (2001-04): 379 hits, 266 runs, 257 SB • Natasha Watley, UCLA (2000-03): 395 hits, 252 runs, 158 SB • Kelly Krestchman, Alabama (1998-01): 368 hits, 288 runs, 133 SB • Alison McCutcheon, Arizona (1995-98): 405 hits, 289 runs, 148 SB • Amy Chellevold, Arizona (1992-95): 371 hits, 252 runs, 113 SB • Lauren Bauer, Arizona (1998-01): 349 hits, 238 runs, 133 SB • Shamalene Wilson, Florida St. (1993-96): 310 hits, 223 runs, 161 SB • Tiff Tootle, South Carolina (1990-93): 351 hits, 207 runs, 114 SB • Lindsay Schutzler, Tennessee (2004-Present): 341 hits, 227 runs, 112 SB • Caitlin Lowe, Arizona (2004-Present) 319 hits, 226 runs, 143 SB • Norrelle Dickson, Oklahoma (2004-P): 312 hits, 226 runs, 103 SB • Amber Jackson, BCC/Maryland (2003-Present) 328 hits, 246 runs, 99 SB
