Feb. 26, 2009

Softball Weekly Release

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - With 10 days remaining until its home opener, the University of Maryland softball team travels south this weekend for its third and final road tournament to start the 2009 season. The Terrapins take on host Stetson and play two games apiece against Kentucky and Centenary College during the Stetson University Hatter Classic in Deland, Fla.

The three-day, round-robin competition pits Maryland against Centenary College at 1:30 p.m. Friday followed by a matchup with Stetson at 6:30 p.m. The action on the diamond continues Saturday with games against Southeastern Conference opponent Kentucky at 11 a.m. and Centenary College at 1:30 p.m. The Terps conclude tournament play with a rematch with the Wildcats at 11 a.m. Sunday.

Maryland has reaped the benefits so far this season of two-way player Kerry Hickey, a sophomore who has served as a catalyst for the team's success both on the mound and at the plate. Hickey, who pitched her way to a pair of victories last weekend during the Cathedral City Classic, leads the Terps in batting (.342), hits (13) and total bases (17), as well as pitching (2.58 ERA), strikeouts (32), wins (two) and innings pitched (35.1), among other categories. The Huntingtown, Md., native sits atop the Atlantic Coast Conference in games finished pitching (seven) and is tied for first in relief appearances (seven).

In addition to Hickey, the Terps, who face Dartmouth and Manhattan March 8 in their first home games of 2009, received major contributions from veteran and new players, alike, in collecting three wins at the Cathedral City Classic. Senior Devon Williams had three RBIs to help Maryland to its first victory of the season, a 7-3 decision over UC Santa Barbara. Fellow fourth-year player Sarah Dooley pitched a complete game in leading Maryland past Hawai'i, 3-2, in a pitchers' duel.

Not to be outdone, sophomore Jennifer Anderson, making her first career start at Maryland, hit a three-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh to propel the Terps to a comeback win over No. 17/19 Nevada.

"Our team showed solid progress last weekend, and I liked the way we demonstrated poise and determination against Nevada," head coach Laura Watten said. "Now we need that improvement to carry over to this upcoming tournament."

By competing in the Hatter Classic, the Terps will face three opponents who boast winning records, including 9-2 Centenary College. Each of Maryland's five matchups will take place at Stetson's Patricia Wilson Field. Live stats of each of the Hatter Classic's nine games are available by clicking the following link: Hatter Classic Live Stats

Last Time Out
Maryland (3-8) won three of six games last weekend at the Cathedral City Classic, defeating No. 17/19 Nevada (8-7), UC Santa Barbara (7-3) and Hawaii (3-2). Sophomore Jennifer Anderson hit a three-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to power the Terps past the Wolf Pack in dramatic fashion last Saturday to cap a 3-for-4 batting performance. Senior Devon Williams tallied a career-best three RBIs and sophomore Kerry Hickey homered and pitched 6.2 strong innings as Maryland bested UC Santa Barbara last Thursday. Senior Sarah Dooley went the distance and pitched with composure to withstand a late rally and help Maryland edge Hawaii earlier the same day. The Terps fell to a trio of ranked opponents from the state of California -No. 6/6 UCLA, No. 9/10 Cal and No. 14/14 Fresno State.

Scouting the Competition
• Centenary College (9-2) has won four of its last five games and beat fellow ACC member Boston College during the Centenary Tournament on Feb. 6.
• Two Centenary College players currently are batting better than .400- freshman Lindsey Smith (.438) and sophomore Caitlin Cavarra (.406). Smith also leads the team in home runs (four) and RBIs (11). Sophomore Jessica Bock (5-1, 2.26 ERA) and freshman Hillary Phillips (3-1, 1.31 ERA) have combined to pitch all but two-thirds of an inning for the Ladies thus far in 2009.
• Tournament host Stetson (7-6) ranks second in the Atlantic Sun Conference in team pitching (1.20 ERA).
• The Hatters' rotations has been led by senior Erica Demers (4-2, .48 ERA), who has struck out 49 in 44 innings pitched while allowing just three earned runs this season. Offensively, senior Andrea Migliori and sophomore Rachel Lowe pace Stetson with 10 RBIs apiece.
• Kentucky (5-4), a member of the SEC, shares two previous opponents with Maryland this season and has fared similarly. Both the Terps and the Wildcats beat Hawaii and lost to UCLA.
• Freshman Chanda Bell (3-1) anchors the Wildcats' staff, having recorded double-digit strikeout totals on two occasions. Junior Molly Johnson was named to the Mardi Gras Invitational All-Tournament team last weekend after .538 with six runs during Kentucky's four games.

Series Histories
The Terps stand 1-0 all-time against Kentucky, having beaten the Wildcats 13-0 in 1999. The Hatter Classic marks Maryland's meetings with both Stetson and Centenary College.

ACC Rankings
Maryland currently ranks fifth in the ACC in fielding percentage (.958). Sophomore Kerry Hickey ranks first conference-wide in games finished pitching (seven), tied for first in relief appearances (seven), fifth in pitching appearances (nine), eighth in strikeouts (32), 10th in innings pitched (35.1) and 11th in ERA (2.58). Offensively, Hickey stands ninth in the ACC in hits per game (1.18) and 15th in batting (.342). Freshman Kendra Knight ranks fifth in the ACC in opponents' batting average (.191) and ninth in strikeouts (24). Senior Devon Williams is tied for second in sacrifice bunts (three).

Did You Know
The Terrapins have made a habit of playing close games to start the 2009 season. Five of Maryland's first 10 games this season were decided by a single run. By comparison, last season the Terps did not have five one-run outcomes until the season's 17th game.

Up Next
Following the Hatter Classic, the Terps open the home portion of their schedule by playing host to the Maryland Round Robin March 7-8 in Robert E. Taylor Stadium. The four-team tournament also features Dartmouth, Manhattan and Gardner-Webb. Maryland commences that competition by taking on Dartmouth at noon March 7 followed by a game versus Manhattan at 2 p.m. the same day.