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News Release

Former UMBC Softball Standout Lauren Nicholson Named Retrievers’ Pitching Coach

12/19/2007

Lauren Nicholson is UMBC's all-time wins leader.

BALTIMORE—Former UMBC pitching standout Lauren Nicholson has been named the Retrievers’ pitching coach, UMBC head coach Joe French announced today. Nicholson replaces former teammate Amy Sadowl, who has stepped down to pursue a full-time job in the UMBC admissions office.

“It is very exciting to add Lauren to our staff,” French said. “For the past six years, I have watched Lauren and Amy grow from role model student-athletes to professional mentors. It is great to have these two former stars still involved with UMBC softball as we continue our quest for an America East championship.”

Nicholson graduated with a bachelor’s degree in American studies in 2006 as UMBC’s all-time leader in wins (57), innings pitched (620.2), games started (94), complete games (68) and appearances (116) after setting the single-season wins record at 19 as a senior. She also ranks second all-time in career strikeouts (387).

Last season, Nicholson served as a graduate assistant pitching coach at Temple, where she continues to work toward her master’s degree in sport and recreation administration, which she anticipates completing this spring.

“Lauren’s year of experience at Temple will greatly enhance her work with our pitching staff in 2008,” French said.

Nicholson spent this past summer pitching for the Therwil Flyers in Basel, Switzerland. She currently also works as an academic advisor in UMBC’s Academic Center for Student-Athletes.

Sadowl served as a student assistant coach for the Retrievers last season and promoted to replace former UMBC assistant Dave Witten, who retired after the Retrievers’ run to the America East finals. However, around the same time, she was also hired to work full-time in UMBC’s admissions office. Sadowl will remain with the Retrievers as a volunteer coach on a limited basis.

Sadowl, who earned her bachelor’s degree in American studies in May, finished her collegiate pitching career second all-time in UMBC history in wins (43), innings pitched (489), games started (77) and appearances (102); fourth in complete games (43); fifth in strikeouts (212); sixth in winning percentage (.606); and 10th in ERA (2.82). She also posted the second-most wins ever in a season by a Retriever pitcher with 18 as a freshman in 2003.

In her first season as pitching coach, Sadowl guided the Retriever staff to a 2.76 ERA, the lowest it has been since 2003.