May 31, 2007
COLLEGE PARK, MD. -
Maryland shortstop Amber Jackson was named to a pair of All-America teams last week, cementing her status as one of the greatest in Terrapin softball history. Jackson was named an Easton First-Team All-American on Saturday and a Second-Team All-American by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association last Wednesday. In four seasons at the Division I level, she was an All-America selection every year.
In three years at Bethune-Cookman, the senior was named an Easton All-American twice, in 2003 and 2004, and made the NFCA first-team in 2005. This season, her lone year as a Terrapin, she was also named first-team All-ACC and first-team All-Region by the NFCA.
Jackson is the first Terp ever to be honored by Easton, and her NFCA second-team selection is the highest honor ever received by a Terrapin from that organization. Kelly Shipman, the legendary Maryland pitcher, is the only other Terp to win NFCA honors. Shipman was a third-team All-American in 1999, when she won 32 games during the Terps' ACC Championship season.
Although she only played a single year for the Terps, Jackson put together perhaps the most spectacular season in Maryland Softball history, and certainly left her mark on the record books. A rare power hitter who also possesses blazing speed on the bases, Jackson finished her career as only the 12th player in NCAA history with over 300 hits, 200 runs, and 100 stolen bases. She stole an incredible 39 bases this season, a number which was already good enough for second on the Maryland career list.
Maryland Head Coach Laura Watten also coached Jackson at Bethune-Cookman, and beamed with pride whenever she spoke about her star transfer. "As a both a player and a person, she is someone who is dedicated to being the best she can be, and she never settles for less than perfection," she said after Jackson was named to the All-ACC first team.
Jackson lead the Terrapins in 11 offensive categories, and her 2007 campaign set new Maryland single-season records with 24 home runs, 56 RBIs, and 55 walks. Her .408 batting average shattered the previous season high of .359 which teammate Jenny Belak set in 2006. Jackson's .41 homers per game led the nation, and her 24 homers tied the ACC single season record which Georgia Tech's Whitney Haller set last season. She also ranked third in both walks per game (.95) and slugging percentage (.949), 10th in country with .67 stolen bases per game, and 11th in runs per game with 1.04.The shortstop led the ACC in six offensive categories, and was named to the All-ACC first team for her accomplishments.
More than just an offensive weapon, Jackson proved to be an anchor in the field. At the Palm Springs Classic, Jackson turned an incredible five unassisted double plays on the day, with two against UCLA and three against the Loyola Marymount. The previous team record for double plays in a game was two. Earlier this year she was selected by the Washington Glory in the fourth annual National Pro Fastpitch draft.
