COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The Maryland softball team honored its six seniors and reflected on its 2017 campaign Sunday evening at the team's annual banquet. Administrators, support staff members, family, friends and supporters joined coaches and players for dinner at Heritage Hall in the XFNITY Center.
Attendees were treated to speeches from head coach Julie Wright, Wright's mother “Momma B”, trainer Kelsey Hieb, the freshmen class, the junior class and each senior.
Junior Skylynne Ellazar and her mother also performed a traditional Hawaiian dance as a final sendoff and blessing for the seniors. Jordan Aughinbaugh, Sarah Calta, Hannah Dewey, Kristina Dillard, Madison Martin and Juli Strange received framed jerseys in addition to other gifts and tokens of appreciation from teammates and staff.
The night concluded with a final word from coach Wright while presenting team awards.
2016-17 Award Honorees (Check out photos via the team's instagram @umdsoftball)
Most Valuable Player
Madison Martin – Martin put together one of her most productive seasons as a Terp in 2017, leading the team in the circle in ERA (3.57), strikeouts (70) and innings pitched (160.2). She earned six of the team's wins as the pitcher of record, while notching four saves in relief for Maryland. Martin was instrumental in Maryland's upset over No. 1 Florida this season, earning the save while scoring a run and bringing in another in the historic victory. She pitched 8.0 innings in Maryland comeback victory over No. 24 Missouri, while earning the save in the team's upset win over No. 18 Michigan on April 15.
Offensive Player of the Year
Juli Strange – Strange was Maryland's most consistent producer at the plate this season, leading the team in on base percentage (.393), runs scored (27) and walks (24) while tying for second in home runs (3) and doubles (8). She hit in several different parts of the lineup, spending time as the team's leadoff hitter and No. 3 hitter throughout the season. She will finish her Terrapin career fifth all-time in runs scored with 122.
Defensive Player of the Year
Kassidy Cross – Cross made an instant impact for the Terps in her first collegiate season, appearing in 47 games while making 42 starts. She became a staple in the outfield rotation, and dazzled with her exciting playmaking ability on several diving stops in center field. She burst onto the scene with two diving plays in Maryland's game vs. Ohio State broadcast on the Big Ten Network on March 25. She made two more diving stops in Maryland's series vs. Michigan State, and finished with a fielding percentage of .955.
Maryland Pride Award
Sami Main – Main was named the team's Maryland Pride award winner for exhibiting pride for her state and school all season long. The Frederick, Md. native carries one of the highest GPAs on the team, and is praised by teammates and coaches for putting the team before herself. Main made appearances in both the circle and at the plate for the Terps in 2017.
Clubhouse Award
Kristina Dillard – Dillard was the team's Clubhouse award winner for the second straight season after demonstrating outstanding leadership for the Terps this season. Dillard was again a lynchpin for the Terps, starting in every single game while leading the bullpen as the squad's catcher. She finished second in the Big Ten in runners caught stealing with 17, and led the team in doubles (9) while finishing tied for second in home runs (3).
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