Softball Takes on Northwestern in Midweek Matchup
3/24/2009 8:00:00 AM | Softball
March 24, 2009
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland softball team will play its fourth consecutive contest and 10th game overall this season against a nationally-ranked opponent when its plays host to No. 8/10 Northwestern at 5 p.m. Wednesday in Robert E. Taylor Stadium. The game between the Terrapins and the Wildcats will be streamed live over the Internet by ACC Select.
Despite dropping a three-game series to then-No. 18 North Carolina last weekend, Maryland (14-14) has won 11 of its past 17 games and stands 8-5 at home, including 8-2 in nonconference matchups in Taylor Stadium.
The Terps have proven to be a balanced squad both at the plate and on the mound thus far in 2009. Four players (senior Breanna Shaw, junior Nadine Blackie, sophomore Kerry Hickey and freshman Kathy McLaughlin) are batting better than .300, and six Terps (the previous four as well as sophomore Niki Lau and freshman Michelle Takeda) have scored between 11 and 16 runs apiece. Each member of the aforementioned group plus senior Devon Williams has contributed at least seven RBIs this season.
From a pitching-standpoint, Hickey, senior Sarah Dooley and freshman Kendra Knight each have taken the mound between 16 and 20 times in 2009, and each has logged more than 45 innings. Hickey and Dooley have seven and six victories, respectively.
Maryland has been at its best this season when it scores early and often. The Terps stand 10-0 when they score first and 9-0 when they produce six or more runs.
In Northwestern (15-7), Maryland is facing one of the top teams in the nation. The reigning Big Ten Conference champions, the Wildcats carry a four-game winning streak into Taylor Stadium. Northwestern has demonstrated power at the plate this season, averaging 1.6 home runs per game through their first 22 contests.
Wednesday's game is free to the public, and parking will be available in Lots 4B and 9B.
Last Time Out
Maryland (14-14, 0-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) dropped three games to then-No. 18 North Carolina last weekend to open conference play. Nadine Blackie belted a two-run home run and Kendra Knight pitched 3.1 solid innings in relief, but Maryland fell short against North Carolina during a doubleheader Saturday afternoon.
During the rematch Sunday, Knight and Kerry Hickey combined on a three-hitter, but the Terps were edged by the Tar Heels, 2-1, to conclude the series. Making the 10th start of her career, Knight kept the high-powered North Carolina lineup in check, holding the Tar Heels to a pair of unearned runs in four innings. Hickey relieved Knight and pitched three scoreless innings to close the game, retiring all nine batters she faced in order.
Devon Williams batted .375 (3-for-8) with a triple and a run during the three-game series. She also continued to excel in the field, snaring a number of hard-hit grounders at third base.
Scouting the Competition
• Northwestern (15-7) has a team batting average of .296 and leads the Big Ten with 35 home runs. The Wildcats, the reigning Big Ten Conference champions, have won eight of their last nine contests, including four in a row.
• Five different Wildcats have at least five home runs led by freshman Adrienne Monka, who has nine round-trippers this season. Senior Tammy Williams, the reigning Big Ten Conference Player of the Year, leads the team with a .500 batting average (36-of-72) and also has seven doubles.
• Junior pitcher Lauren Delaney has started all but three of Northwestern's 22 games this season. She boasts a 14-6 record with 17 complete games and 172 strikeouts. Opposing batters are hitting .192 against her. Fellow junior Kelly Dyer is the team's only other player to take the mound thus far in 2009.
Series History
Wednesday's game represents the second between Maryland and Northwestern in the history of the programs. The Wildcats defeated the Terps 6-2 on Feb. 6, 1999. During their 15-year history, the Terps have played every team from the Big Ten at least once with the exception of Wisconsin.
ACC Rankings
The Terps currently stand second in the ACC in fielding percentage (.968), third in triples (seven) and fifth in batting (.275). Additionally, several Maryland softball players rank among the best in the ACC in their respective top statistical categories.
Junior Nadine Blackie:
• Ranks fifth in the ACC in on-base percentage (.461), tied for sixth in triples (two), 10th in batting (.359), 11th in slugging percentage (.547) and 11th in stolen bases (seven).
Senior Sarah Dooley:
• Ranks tied for first in the ACC in saves (two), sixth in appearances (18), eighth in games started (12), and tied for ninth in wins (six).
Sophomore Kerry Hickey:
• Ranks first in the ACC in relief appearances (14), first in games finished pitching (12), tied for third in appearances (20), sixth in strikeouts (75), eighth in wins (seven), and ninth in innings pitched (74.2). Offensively, Hickey is fourth in at bats (95), tied for sixth in doubles (five) and tied for 12th in hits (29).
Freshman Kendra Knight:
• Ranks first in the ACC in fewest hits allowed (28), third in opponents' batting average (.173) and ninth in strikeouts (65).
Freshman Kathy McLaughlin:
• Ranks tied for second in the ACC in triples (three) and tied for 12th in stolen bases (six).
Senior Breanna Shaw:
• Ranks tied for fourth in the ACC in doubles (six) and 14th in batting (.346).
Freshman Michelle Takeda:
• Ranks tied for fourth in the ACC in home runs (six) and tied for ninth in slugging percentage (.556).
Senior Devon Williams:
• Ranks tied for first in the ACC in sacrifice bunts (six).
Did You Know
Freshman pitcher Kendra Knight leads the ACC in fewest hits allowed (28), and no other conference pitcher meeting the minimum inning qualifications has surrendered less than 35 hits. Knight also paces the conferences in fewest home runs allowed (one). Sophomore outfielder Niki Lau is one of just six players in the ACC who has at least 20 putouts and has not committed an error this season (1.000 fielding percentage).
Up Next
Following its matchup with Northwestern, Maryland returns to ACC play by commencing a three-game weekend series with NC State in Taylor Stadium. The Terrapins and Wolfpack play a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and a single game Sunday at 1 p.m.
