COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland softball team commences Atlantic Coast Conference action by playing host to No. 18 North Carolina this weekend in a three-game series in Robert E. Taylor Stadium. The Terps and Tar Heels play a double-header Saturday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., and they return to the diamond Sunday at 1 p.m. to close the series.

The Terrapins (14-11) went 4-1 last weekend in the Maryland Invitational and have won eight of their 10 games played during March, all at home. Having averaged seven runs per game during its last seven contests, Maryland has placed itself among the ACC leaders by raising its team batting average to .290.

Senior Sarah Dooley and freshman Michelle Takeda headlined a plethora of Terps who contributed strong performances during the Maryland Invitational. Dooley, a pitcher, earned the decision in each of Maryland's four victories last weekend and Takeda, an outfielder, belted three home runs with six RBIs and eight runs during six games last week. For their efforts, Dooley and Takeda garnered ACC Pitcher of the Week and Co-Player of the Week honors, respectively.

Freshman Kathy McLaughlin also has been swinging a hot bat of late, batting .385 (5-of-13) with six RBIs, six runs and a pair of three-baggers during the Maryland Invitational. The Baltimore, Md., native leads the team with a .414 batting average and three triples.

Maryland opens conference play against one of the ACC's top teams in the Tar Heels, who are ranked 18th in both the USA Today/NFCA Division I and the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 national polls. North Carolina (23-7, 1-2 ACC) claimed the ACC regular season championship a year ago and is off to a strong start again in 2009, having won 20 consecutive games against unranked opponents.

Each of this weekend's softball games is free to the public. Parking will be available in Lots 4B and 9B.

Last Time Out
The Terrapins went 4-1 at the six-team Maryland Invitational, beating Seton Hall (11-1) last Friday, Delaware (4-3) Saturday, Mount St. Mary's (7-1) and Howard (8-4) Sunday. Maryland's lone loss was a 6-2 decision to Fordham.

Sophomore Jennifer Anderson and Michelle Takeda blasted home runs and Sarah Dooley pitched a complete game as Maryland opened tournament play by defeating Seton Hall. The Terps compiled a season-high 11 runs on 10 hits, and Dooley pitched a four-hitter, needing less than 90 pitches to close out the five-inning affair.

The Terrapins edged Delaware during second-day action in the Maryland Invitational, as Kathy McLaughlin drove a two-out, two-run double down the left field in the seventh inning for the game-winning hit. Dooley gave up three earned runs in seven innings for her 20th career victory.

Dooley picked up two more wins on the mound and the Terrapins' offense supported her with seven extra-base hits to enable Maryland to top Mount St. Mary's and Howard to conclude the Maryland Invitational. Dooley went the distance against the Mountaineers and pitched 2.1 scoreless innings of relief against the Bison. Takeda went deep for the third time in two days and the sixth time this season. Sophomore Kerry Hickey provided the Terps a lift against Howard, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs, including a two-run home run.

Conference Honors
Senior Sarah Dooley was named Atlantic Coast Conference Pitcher of the Week and freshman Michelle Takeda garnered Co-Player of the Week honors for the week of March 16.

Dooley collected all four victories as the Terrapins went 4-1 during last weekend's Maryland Invitational. The veteran right-hander took the circle during all five contests, pitching complete games in each of her three starts and also making two relief appearances. Pitching 25.1 of the team's 33 total innings during the Maryland Invitational, Dooley allowed just five earned runs while scattering 13 hits. She faced 96 batters, recording 29 strikeouts with just four walks

Takeda shared ACC Player of the Week honors with Georgia Tech third baseman Kristen Adkins after belting three home runs with six RBIs and eight runs during a half-dozen games last week. The Terrapin outfielder batted .400 (6-for-15) and scored at least one run in each of Maryland's six games, five of which went into the win column. Takeda homered during the games against Seton Hall, Fordham and Mount St. Mary's to increase her team-leading season total to six long-balls.

Scouting the Competition
• North Carolina (23-7, 1-2 ACC), the reigning regular season conference champions, leads the ACC in victories yet again and has won its last 20 games against unranked opponents. The Tar Heels dropped two of three contests to then-No. 24 Florida State during both team's conference-opening series March 9-10.
• The Tar Heels entered the week ranked second in the ACC in pitching (1.24 ERA) and fourth in batting (.285). They also led the conference with 30 doubles entering the week.
• Junior Christine Knauer leads North Carolina in batting (.381) and is 17-of-18 in stolen base attempts. Senior Breanna Brown is batting .333 with a team-best 12 extra-base hits (seven doubles, three triples and two home runs).
• Senior Lisa Norris and junior Danielle Spaulding have combined for 20 wins in 26 starts. Spaulding (1.08 ERA) and Norris (1.42) have struck out 147 and 145 batters, respectively. They have allowed a combined 31 earned runs in 169.1 innings of work.

ACC Rankings
The Terps stand third in the ACC in both batting (.290) and fielding (.968). Additionally, several Maryland softball players rank among the best in the ACC in their respective top statistical categories.

Junior Nadine Blackie:
• Ranks tied for third in the ACC in triples (two), fifth in batting (.382), fifth in on-base percentage (.485), tied for 10th in stolen bases (six), ninth in slugging percentage (.545) and tied for 12th in walks (nine).
Senior Sarah Dooley:
• Ranks first in the ACC in saves (two), fifth in appearances (17), tied for seventh in games started (11), tied for eighth in wins, tied for ninth in innings (62.0) and 10th in strikeouts (53).
Sophomore Kerry Hickey:
• Ranks first in the ACC in relief appearances (13), first in games finished pitching (11), tied for third in appearances (18), fifth in strikeouts (72), tied for fifth in wins (seven), and seventh in innings pitched (66.1). Offensively, Hickey is tied for third in doubles (five), tied for third in at bats (86), tied for seventh in hits (28) and tied for 10th in total bases (39).
Freshman Kendra Knight:
• Ranks first in the ACC in hits allowed (22), third in opponents' batting average (.169) and ninth in strikeouts (57).
Freshman Kathy McLaughlin:
• Ranks tied for second in the ACC in triples (three) and tied for 10th in stolen bases (six).
Senior Breanna Shaw:
• Ranks tied for first in the ACC in doubles (six) and 14th in batting (.352).
Freshman Michelle Takeda:
• Ranks third in the ACC in home runs (six), sixth in slugging percentage (.615), tied for eighth in total bases (40) and tied for 10th in RBIs (16).
Senior Devon Williams:
• Ranks first in the ACC in sacrifice bunts (six).

Did You Know
Maryland took on North Carolina in a double-header on Feb. 25, 1995, in the program's very first games. Since then the Terps and Tar Heels have met 43 times - tied for Maryland's most matchups against any opponent.

Up Next
Following its series with North Carolina, Maryland welcomes No. 12/14 Northwestern to Robert E. Taylor Stadium for a midweek showdown. The Terps and Wildcats play at 5 p.m. Wednesday.