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News Release

UMBC Softball Inks Five More for 2007 Season

9/13/2006

Baltimore-UMBC softball coach Joe French announced today that five more players, including three freshmen and a transfer, will join the Retrievers for the 2007 season, joining two student-athletes who signed with UMBC in December.

Headlining the group is junior pitcher/corner infielder Ashley Gray, a transfer from Delaware State. The native of Pasadena, Md., hit .380 in 55 games for the Hornets last season with four home runs, 36 RBI and 43 runs scored en route to first team all Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference accolades. She also posted a 17-8 record with a 3.04 ERA and 129 strikeouts.

“Ashley Gray will be an impact player both as a pitcher and a position player,” French said. “Getting an all-conference transfer doesn’t happen every year, and we’re very excited that she’s here. She’s a power pitcher and a power hitter who can hit the ball to all fields and throws 63-64 mph.”

Emily Thompson, a native of Niagara Falls, N.Y., was named Western New York Player of the Year by the Niagara Gazette after hitting .413 with four home runs, four doubles, seven triples and 15 RBI during her senior season at Niagara Falls High School. A shortstop by trade, the 5-foot-11 Thompson will also see time at second base and in the outfield for the Retrievers.

“Emily can play a variety of spots and she carries a very lethal bat,” French said. “She has line drive power to all fields and has an outstanding arm. She also has good foot speed and is very agile for her size.”

Ashleigh Robinson, a native of Manassas Park, Va., also played shortstop in at Manassas Park High School but will likely see time at second base and center field for the Retrievers. A two-time all-district first team member and a 2006 first team all-region honoree, Robinson led the Cougars to the district title and regional finals.

“Ashleigh Robinson is a left-handed hitter who has good foot speed, good bat control, occasional pop, a good arm and a good glove,” French said. “She tracks the ball in the outfield extremely well.”

Local standout Mallorie Clary attended Catonsville High School, where she was a teammate of fellow Retriever freshman Amanda Fefel, who committed to UMBC during the early signing period. Clary, the reigning Catonsville Times Athlete of the Year, is already competing for the Retrievers as a defensive specialist for the UMBC volleyball team.

As a senior, Clary posted team highs in average (.485), hits (32), runs (26) and doubles (10) and tied for the team lead in stolen bases with 18. During her four-year career, she stole 112 bases and was caught just three times. The Comets were 74-12 during her time at Catonsville with two county championships, two regional titles and trips to the state finals and semifinals. The shortstop, who can also play second base and center field, earned Baltimore Sun all-county/city in her final three years and second team all-metro honors as a senior.

“Mallorie is an outstanding athlete, a utility type of player who can play anywhere on the field,” French said. “She carries a very lethal bat with line drive power to all fields, has a good glove, a good arm, good agility and good foot speed.”

The final member of the 2007 incoming class is a walk-on who made the team during the fall. Natalie Wilson, a catcher and designated hitter from Mount Hebron High School in Ellicott City, Md., earned first team all-county accolades from the Howard County Times, the Baltimore Sun and the Washington Post as a senior.

“Natalie Wilson is strong and athletic with very good power and an outstanding throwing arm,” French said. “The ball jumps off her bat when she makes good contact, she has good glove work behind the plate and she blocks the ball very well.”

The quintet joins Fefel and fellow freshman Lauren O’Malley, both Baltimore Sun All-Metro selections who signed with UMBC in December. Fefel, a pitcher who also plays the outfield and corner infield positions, is the Baltimore County Player of the Year by the Baltimore Sun, while O’Malley, a native of Pasadena, Md., who attended Archbishop Spalding, hit just under .500 during her high school career as an outfielder and first baseman.

“This is a group of solid student-athletes who work very hard every day and should help replace the players we lost after last season,” French said of his incoming class.

The Retrievers had a historic season in 2006, posting their second-best record in school history at 46-20 and setting numerous team records, including hits, runs scored and home runs. They ranked second in the nation in scoring, third in slugging percentage and fifth in batting average.