UMBC

BALTIMORE—UMBC softball coach Joe French announced today that four players signed National Letters of Intent this spring and will join the Retrievers for the 2009 season.

Headlining the group is sophomore outfielder/first baseman Malorie Weller, a transfer from Kennesaw State. A native of Round Hill, Va., Weller batted .328 in 19 games for the Owls during her freshman year in 2007 before an injury cut her season short. The left-handed hitter was a First-Team All-Region selection who batted .500 in her senior year at Loudon Valley High School, which she helped lead to two state championships, and she was also a member of the Virginia Shamrocks Gold team which finished fifth in the Gold Nationals in 2007.

“Weller will be a top-of-the-lineup hitter who can ignite the attack,” French said. “She hits the ball to all fields and is very quick.”

A three-time conference all-star, Ashley Carver is a freshman who plays the middle infield positions and can also play center field. The native of Swoyersville, Pa., batted .286 from the left side of the plate and boasted a .990 field percentage at Wyoming Valley High School, which she helped lead to the district title in 2007.

“Carver has outstanding speed and can slap, quick bunt and spray line drives to the outfield,” French said. “She has an outstanding glove and a good throwing arm, and she can track the ball well in the outfield. She should compete right away for a slot in the middle infield.”

Freshman Becca Bernheimer was a four-year letterwinner at Cape Henlopen High School in Lewes Delaware. The catcher was a Second-Team All-State and First-Team All-Conference selection as a senior.

“Rebecca has a very good throwing arm and hits solid line drives to all fields,” French said. “She is very strong behind the plate with her defensive skills and should compete for catching time right away.”

Finally, sophomore pitcher/outfielder Amanda Barker is a transfer from Maine Maritime Academy who set the school record for strikeouts in a game (15) and a season (148). A native of Waterville, Maine, she was a two-time First-Team All-Conference Selection at Messalonskee High School and led the Eagles to a state title. Barker’s twin sister, Chelsea, is a guard on the Retriever women’s basketball team.

“Amanda will compete mostly as a position player this year but may pitch on occasion,” French said. “She is an all-around athlete.”

The four newcomers join incoming freshmen Amanda Damiano, Angela Yannone and Kaela Mason and junior college transfer Amanda Page, who committed to UMBC in the fall.

“I am very excited to be adding these eight student-athletes to the team,” French said. “This is a large group who we are hoping will increase the depth and talent level of our team. We have brought in a combination of defense, offense, power, speed and short game.”

French is hopeful that the eight new players will be able to help fill the voids left by the departures of seniors Dana Shepherd, Kali Shirk, Ashley Gray and Carla O’Rourke.

“This was quite a group to lose, but we are very confident that with our returning players and this class of recruits we will be very competitive as we seek our fourth straight America East playoff berth.”

Fall Schedule Announced: French recently announced the Retrievers’ fall schedule, which includes three tournaments, two scrimmages and an alumni game.

UMBC kicks off the fall season at the Towson Triangular Classic on Sept. 20, facing the host Tigers and Georgetown. A week later, the Retrievers will host Sussex Community College and the Community College of Baltimore County at the UMBC Fall Tournament.

On Oct. 4, UMBC will participate at the George Washington Tournament against the host Colonials and nearby Mount St. Mary’s. The next two weeks feature two scrimmages, including cross-town rival Morgan State at home on Oct. 11, and nearby CCBC on the road on Oct. 18.

The Retrievers close out their fall schedule with an alumni game on Oct. 25 at 2:30 p.m. as part of UMBC’s Homecoming weekend.

UMBC’s Fall Schedule

Saturday, Sept. 20 at Towson

11 a.m. UMBC vs. Towson

1 p.m. UMBC vs. Georgetown

Sunday, Sept. 28 at UMBC

10 a.m. UMBC vs. Sussex CC

2 p.m. UMBC vs. CCBC

Saturday, Oct. 4 at George Washington

10 a.m. UMBC vs. George Washington

12 p.m. UMBC vs. Mount St. Mary’s

Saturday, Oct. 11 at UMBC

10:30 a.m. UMBC vs. Morgan State

Saturday, Oct. 18 at CCBC

10:30 a.m. UMBC vs. CCBC

Saturday, Oct. 25 at UMBC

2:30 p.m. Alumni Game

2008 Fall and Winter Clinics: French and the Retrievers will host four clinics during the 2008-09 school year, including an elite outdoor clinic, a hitting/pitching clinic and two indoor winter clinics.

The Annual Elite Outdoor Clinic will take place on Sunday, Oct. 5, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. for girls ages 12 and up and will including college offensive and defensive drills and skills as well as live scrimmages.

The Hitting/Pitching Clinic for girls of all ages will be held on Sunday, Oct. 26, from 9:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m., while the Winter Indoor Clinics for girls of all ages will take place on Saturday, Feb. 7, and Saturday, Feb. 14, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.

The cost of one clinic is $60, but special rates are available for attending multiple sessions. All registration begins 30 minutes before scheduled start times. All activities will take place at the UMBC Softball Stadium (outdoor) or the Retriever Activities Center (indoor).

For more information, please contact Coach French at 410-455-1325 or jfrench@umbc.edu; assistant coach Lauren Nicholson at laun1@umbc.edu; or assistant coach Wayne Miller at wmiller@umbc.edu.