Jan. 28, 2011
GREENSBORO, N.C. -
Following its first NCAA Regionals appearance in over 10 years, the Maryland softball team was picked to finish fifth in the Atlantic Coast Conference earlier this week.
The Terps return eight starters and 15 letterwinners from last year's NCAA Tournament team. In 2010, Maryland went 34-24 for a sixth place finish in the ACC.
The Terrapins return both of their starting pitchers, Kerry Hickey and Kendra Knight. Maryland led the ACC in team ERA (1.65) and was third in strikeouts with 454.
Head coach Laura Watten brought on former USA Softball Player of the Year and three-time ACC Player of the Year Angela Tincher to take control of the Terrapin pitching unit.
Maryland welcomes seven newcomers including ESPN All-American Candice Beards, Erica Burgess, Jessica Butler, Ashley Czechner, Bree Hanafin, Amanda McCann and Kelly Trimble.
The Terps will play 12 of last year's 64 NCAA Tournament teams and four teams in the Preseason NFCA Top 25 poll. They open the season Feb. 11-13 in the Red and Black Classic in Athens, Ga. where they will open against Iowa Feb. 11 at 3 p.m. Later that evening, Maryland will take on tournament host No. 3 Georgia at 7 p.m.
2011 ACC Softball Predicted Order of Finish
Place Team (First-place votes) Points 2010 Record
1. Georgia Tech (7) 49 51-11
2. Florida State 41 44-18
3. North Carolina (1) 34 42-20
4. Virginia 31 34-23
5. MARYLAND 26 34-24
6. NC State 21 28-27
7. Virginia Tech 15 25-33
8. Boston College 7 16-33
-Terps-
