March 14, 2011
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland softball team plays host to Fordham in a doubleheader scheduled for 5 p.m. Wednesday. The Terps (13-9) enter Wednesday's midweek matchup against the Rams on a four-game winning streak, including a pair of 4-1 extra-inning victories this weekend.
After dropping its first game of the University of South Florida Tournament to No. 16 Nebraska, the Terps handled Colorado State 6-0 on Friday before opening Saturday's round with a 4-3 win over St. John's. Maryland topped Saint Joseph's 4-1 in eight innings on Saturday afternoon before closing out the weekend with another 4-1 win in extras, this time over Qunnipiac.
On offense, Infielder Lexi Carroll has been on fire of as of late as the sophomore hit .444 and twice knocked in extra-inning RBI over the weekend. Carroll also hit her first two home runs of the season against the Huskers and Bobcats.
The Terps are led offensively by junior Bree Hanafin at third base. A transfer from Baylor, Hanafin boasts team bests in batting average (.414), RBI (13) and home runs (5), slugging percentage (.724) and on-base percentage (.485). She is also tied with junior outfielder Vangie Galindo for the team lead with 24 hits.
In Maryland's starting rotation, the Terps have a trio of pitchers, all with ERAs below 2.25. Freshman Ashley Czechner leads Maryland with six wins and a 2.07 ERA while senior Kerry Hickey has a team-best 91 strikeouts and six complete games. Junior Kendra Knight has allowed a team-low 24 hits.
Fordham enters the week with a 13-10 record, though the Rams are currently on a five-game winning streak, including four at the Cavalier Classic in Charlottesville, Va. The Rams are led by Jocelyn Dearborn, whose .359 average and five home runs are tops on the team. Fordham's Jen Mineau has a team-best 1.73 ERA while Chelsea Plimpton leads the Rams with 70 strikeouts.
The Terps are 0-3 all-time against the Rams, having lost a pair to Fordham in the College Park Regional of last season's NCAA Tournament.
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