Maryland Softball: Why I Wear My Number

Maryland’s softball team opens the home schedule this Friday against Northwestern. We all know how important numbers are in sports. Did you ever wonder why a player wears a certain number? Check out the interesting reasons why our softball Terps wear their numbers ranging from family tributes, to birthdays, to religious meanings and more.

#1 Jada Smallwood: I chose #1 for my big sister. She was my best friend and always pushed me to be “the best Smallwood” or the “#1 Smallwood” in the family. After she passed, I wanted nothing more than to honor her and continue to make her proud of me. For my side of the family, I am also the first to receive any kind of college scholarship.

#3 Trinity Schlotterbeck: I chose #3 because I wanted to always have the reminder that God is the reason I play the game. My name is Trinity meaning 3 in 1 and I wanted to incorporate that into my number and what I wore across my back. On my glove I have my favorite verse which my dad has always spoken to me before every game, Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” 

#5 Jennifer Brann: I chose #5 because ever since I started playing softball, I was #5. Also, my whole collegiate career I have been #5 and am blessed to have the opportunity to finish my career as #5. Wearing this number brings my past with me along every time I step on the field. 

#6 JoJo McRae: I’ve been wearing #6 since my very first softball game. It was the number I fell in love with the game with and the number I’ll end my career with!

#8 Campbell Kline: I chose #8 because I've worn it ever since I started travel ball which was when I was 8 years old. My birthday is also on March 8th, and as a kid, who wouldn’t want their birthday to be their number? The number 8 just made sense to me, there were so many other little things that included that number 8, just I felt drawn to it.

#10 Katie Dustin: I chose the #10 because that is the age I started playing softball! 

#14 Meadow Sacadura: I chose #14 because I have worn it ever since my freshman year in highschool, when I was 14. Ever since then, I haven’t changed my number and have made a lot of great memories in it. I also wore #5 growing up, and 1+4=5 so I wanted to incorporate that somehow. 

#16 Micaela Abbatine: I chose #16 because my brother has always been #16 for baseball. Even though he is younger than me, I look up to him in how confidently and effortlessly he plays the game.

#17 Merissa Borkowski: I chose #17 because my birthday is July 17th and I have had this number since I was in travel ball.

#18 Taylor Liguori: I chose #18 in honor of my grandfather. Not only was 18 his favorite number, but it was also his number when he played baseball. My grandfather was one of the most important people in my life and was one of the first people to introduce me to this sport. When he passed away, I knew I wanted to do my best to honor him and what better way than to wear that number every time I step on the field to make him proud. 

#20 Michaela Jones: I chose #20 because my birthday is on November 20th. I picked it out when I joined my first travel softball team and have stuck with it ever since.

#22 Jaeda McFarland: When I first started playing softball I wore #2 because it was a way to remind myself that I was good, but I was not #1 so there was always room for improvement. 

#24 Sammie Stefan: I chose #24 for my youngest sister, Mia. When she was born, I was away on a trip and she was born on January 24th. Now she's wear the #24 when she plays and I'm "Big #24" and she's "Little #24."

#33 Abby Buettner: The first time I played travel ball I was still in elementary school and didn’t have a favorite number, but I was number 3 in line due to last name so I asked for 3. The number was taken, so my young little self decided that if I doubled it then it would be extra lucky, and since then #33 has stuck with me. 

#42 Courtney Wyche:  I chose #42 because it is an honor for me to represent the man who made it possible for me to play this sport. Also, I want to create my own legacy through this number as I embark on my softball journey as a black pitcher.  Jackie Robinson’s story motivates me everytime I play to continue his legacy, battle through obstacles, always work hard, and to never give up. It stands for power, resilience, and fight and I am proud to wear #42 on my back!