Terps To Face Nation?s Best At Citrus Classic
2/26/2015 9:45:00 AM | Softball
COLLEGE PARK, Md.—The Maryland softball team travels to Florida for the second time this season, to complete a five-game stint in the ESPN Citrus Classic. The Terps (10-5, 0-0 Big Ten) look to continue its strong start to the season, after taking four straight and four of five in the Mary Nutter Classic last weekend.
This Weekend on the Diamond
Maryland will face Fordham, Mississippi State, Lehigh, James Madison and #20 Missouri in its third tournament of the season. Four of the Terps five opponents this weekend qualified for the 2014 NCAA Tournament. Fordham, Mississippi State, James Madison and Missouri all qualified last season.
All games will be played in the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla. Live stats will be available on a game-by-game basis and the bout with Fordham will be broadcast on ESPN3. Fans are encouraged to follow @TerpsSoftball for live updates and behind-the-scenes content.
For more information, visit the ESPN Citrus Classic website.
Fri., Feb 27 Fordham 11:00 a.m. ESPN3
Fri., Feb 27 Mississippi State 3:30 p.m. Live Audio (Bulldogs Feed)
Sat., Feb 28 James Madison 6:15 p.m. Live Stats
Sun., Feb 29 #20 Missouri 10:00 a.m.
Last Time Out
- Maryland is coming off a strong performance last weekend, picking up victories over BYU, Nevada, UNLV and Long Beach State. The team defeated BYU, 2-1 in nine innings and Nevada, 4-3 in eight innings.
- Mandy Gardner hit a conference-leading 11 RBIs over the weekend. She has a conference-leading 21 RBIs on the season.
- Sarah Lang hit a solid .500 in the five games, while team batting leader, Hannah Dewey, hit .467 with seven hits and four RBIs.
- Lang knocked in her first career RBI in Maryland's 5-2 win over Long Beach State.
The Terps When
- The Terrapins have outscored their opponents 76-53 this season, tallying 16 runs in the first, 15 in the sixth and 12 in the fifth.
- Maryland sits at 8-0 when leading games after six innings.
- The team is also 3-0 in extra-inning games. The Terps defeated Coastal Carolina (2/8), BYU (2/19), and Nevada (2/20) in extra innings.
- The Terrapins sit at 8-3 when scoring first and 7-1, when holding the opponent to less than two runs.
Scouting Fordham
- The Rams sit at 8-5 on the season and 5-5 in neutral site games.
- The team went 2-1 in the Paladin Classic, sweeping a double-header with Furman, and dropping a decision against Gardner-Webb.
- Fordham made the NCAA Tournament in 2014.
- Maryland and Fordham currently sit at 3-3 all-time. Maryland won the last meeting 10-2 in 2013.
Scouting Mississippi State
- The Bulldogs sit a 13-2 on the season, and are currently receiving votes in the latest edition of the USA Today/NFCA Coaches poll. They made the NCAA Tournament last season.
- Mississippi State is coming off a successful week, going 4-1. The team defeated Penn State three times and Southeastern Louisiana, while falling to UAB in extra innings on Tuesday.
- Friday's match-up marks the fourth all-time meeting between Maryland and MSU. MSU currently holds a 3-0 advantage.
Scouting Lehigh
- Due to poor weather, Lehigh opens its season this weekend at the ESPN Citrus Classic.
- In 2014, the Mountain Hawks went 30-20 and 15-3 in conference play.
- Saturday's match-up marks the third all-time meeting between the two programs. The series is tied at 1-1. Maryland won the last meeting 11-0 in 2011.
Scouting James Madison
- JMU sits at 5-4 on the season and 5-2 in neutral site games.
- The Dukes made the NCAA Tournament in 2014 and are currently receiving votes in the latest edition of the USA Today/NFCA Coaches poll.
- Last time out, James Madison went 2-2 in the Easton Bama Bash. The team defeated Lipscom twice, while dropping two to Alabama and Michigan.
- Saturday's match-up marks the 12th all-time meeting between the two programs. The Terps currently hold a 9-2 series record. Maryland last played JMU in a 9-7 win in 2010.
Scouting Missouri
- The Tigers are currently 8-2 on the season and ranked number 20 in the latest votes in the latest edition of the USA Today/NFCA Coaches poll. Mizzou made the NCAA Tournament in 2014.
- Last time out, the team went 4-1 in the Mary Nutter Classic. They picked up wins against Cal State Fullerton, Long Beach State, Texas and Arizona.
- Paige Lowary was named SEC Pitcher of the Week after racking up two victories over ranked opponents.
- Sunday's meeting marks the fourth all-time meeting between the Terps and Tigers. Mizzou currently holds a 2-1 all-time series advantage.
-Maryland-
