TWO MID-YEAR TRANSFERS JOIN UMBC SOFTBALL FOR 2006 SEASON
2/22/2006
Melanie Denischuk |
Brittany Boyd |
Baltimore, Md.-Juniors Melanie Denischuk and Brittany Boyd, two mid-year transfers who came to UMBC in January, have joined the Retriever softball team for the 2006 season, head coach Joe French announced.
Denischuk spent the fall semester at Auburn after two years at Indian River Community College, where she an NFCA All-American last season. She led Indian River to the state championship both years and to a second-place finish at nationals in 2005. A two-time all-conference and all-state selection, Denischuk was selected to the NJCAA all-tournament team at nationals last season, and she was named IRCC top offensive player of 2004-05.
The left-handed hitter from Alberta, Canada, plays both first and third base. She hit .514 as a freshman at Indian River and .389 as a sophomore, totaling 14 home runs in her two seasons.
“Melanie is an outstanding pure left-handed hitter with power to all field,” French said. “Along with Krissy Licursi, she should help replace the offensive numbers of Kristie Pickeral, Amanda Bile and Amanda McGhee. She brings success, leadership and experience, as well as a winning background and should make an immediate impact.”
Boyd, a right-handed pitcher, spent her freshman year at East Carolina in 2003 before sitting out the last two seasons and transferring to UMBC. She posted an 8-6 record and a 2.52 ERA with 46 strikeouts in 86.0 innings with the Pirates. When not pitching, she may see time at first base.
The Baltimore native was a four-time all-county and two-time all-metro selection at North County High School, where she led the Knights to the state championship in 2000 and 2002.
“Brittany is a power pitcher, and we hope she will quickly return to the form that made her successful at ECU,” French said. “She can also swing the bat well.”
Denischuk and Boyd join Licursi, a junior out of Sussex County College in Sussex, N.J., as the Retrievers’ three mid-year transfers who are all expected to immediately help the team vie for an America East Conference tournament berth.
The Retrievers’ season begins this weekend as they travel to UNC-Wilmington for the Seahawk Classic. UMBC was picked to finish fifth in the America East Preseason Coaches Poll.
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