This week, umterps.com will preview the Maryland softball season with insight from head coach Julie Wright. The team is set to make its 2017 season debut this weekend at the Texas Invitational. Today, we look at the bullpen.
Infield Preview -- Outfield Preview
The foundation of any softball team lies in the bullpen, the battery of the squad. Piecing that puzzle together will be the key for the Terrapin bullpen in 2017. For Maryland, this puzzle starts with the team's leader, senior catcher Kristina Dillard.
“Kristina Dillard is our anchor,” said head coach Julie Wright. “She's our overall captain, our leader. KD is the one that everyone's drawn to because she has great energy and good vibes. Just a wonderful personality. Everybody looks to her, she just has a magnetic personality.”
Dillard, who transferred from Louisville before last season, made an immediate impact during her first season for her home state school. The Hanover, Md. native had the second highest batting average at .342 last season and led the team in RBI's with 30. Defensively, Dillard led the Big Ten in runners caught stealing with 16.
“KD” as her teammates call her was voted the overall team captain this season and will look to lead her squad both at the plate, behind it and in the dugout.
Freshman Anna Kufta and sophomore Andi Jarvis will also be in line to provide some innings behind the dish for the Terps. Throwing to Dillard and Kufta will be Madison Martin, Lauren Graves, Hannah Dewey, Ari Jarvis and Sami Main.
Martin, one of three seniors in the bullpen, was voted the captain of the group. The Edmond, Okla. native was a mainstay on the staff last year as well, posting the lowest ERA and 60 strikeouts.
“The key for Madison is she's back healthy,” said Wright. “That's going to be huge for us. That kid can spin it and she's quite the player. You can look for her offensively as well.”
Joining the staff this year as someone that Wright expects to make an impact right away is freshman Lauren Graves. Making the trip up north from Arkansas, Graves has taken a lot in this fall and spring training period as she gets ready to make her collegiate debut.
“Lauren Graves has learned a ton from our pitching coach Lisa Norris,” said Wright. “Lauren has really grown a lot in the game. This has been a learning year for her no doubt. She brings a nice element to us that we haven't had before. She can spin it and throws higher velocity pitches.”
A threat at the plate, the circle and the outfield, senior Hannah Dewey brings a load of experience to the bullpen, having pitched over 200 innings and striking out over 100 batters in her career.
“Hannah Dewey is going to bring some nice innings for us,” said Wright. “Lefty-lefty matchups. She does really well against lefties. We're pleased to see how she has continued her growth on the mound.”
Rounding out the staff will be sophomores Ari Jarvis and Sami Main. Both saw limited action in their freshman years, but look to expand their roles in their second go-around.
“Ari has done some nice stuff so far as a sophomore,” said Wright. “I've really been impressed with her in scrimmages this so far. She's done a nice job developing some pitches this year that she didn't have last year. Sami, that young lady is one of the hardest working players I've ever coached and because of that she is pushing everyone,” said Wright. “I'm proud of all the work she's done.”
Depth will be essential to the Terrapin bullpen in 2017. These five pitchers and Dillard will all play a part in keeping opposing teams off the scoreboard this season.
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