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News Release

Softball Notebook: Retrievers Complete Recruiting Class, Announce Fall Schedule, Clinic

8/16/2010

BALTIMORE—UMBC softball coach Joe French announced today that four more players have committed to join the Retrievers this fall.

Pitcher/outfielder Katie Ferguson from North East, Md., was named the Maryland Junior College Player of the Year and a Third-Team NJCAA All-American while leading Cecil College to the NJCAA Division II World Series last season. She went 17-3 with a 1.24 ERA and 209 strikeouts in 130.0 innings of work as a sophomore, while also batting .457 with 63 hits, nine home runs and 57 RBI. Her 209 strikeouts ranked third in all of Division II. Fegurson’s older brother, Dustin, is on the UMBC baseball team.

Jessica Warner is a shortstop/third baseman from Huntingtown High School in Huntingtown, Md., who was named to the All-County and All-Southern Maryland Athletic Conference first teams after batting .509 with a team-best six homers and 37 RBI. She has line drive power to all fields to go along with a good glove and a strong throwing arm.

The versatile Kayla Martinez from Arundel High School in Odenton, Md., can play anywhere in the infield and also pitch. An athletic, sure-handed fielder with a strong throwing arm, she is a three-time All-Met selection by The Sun and has also earned All-County honors from the Annapolis Capital. Last season, Martinez averaged 11.5 strikeouts per game and threw three no-hitters, including a perfect game in the regional quarterfinals.

An agile infielder/outfielder from Westminster, Md., who should be a threat on the base paths, Amy Metcalfe will transfer to UMBC from Iona, where she played 34 games as the Gaels won the MAAC championship and earned a berth in the NCAA Regionals. Metcalfe’s father, Rusty, played baseball at UMBC.

“We were looking to bring in versatility, speed, agility, line drive power and some pitching depth in this class, and we feel that we have addressed our needs for the 2011 season, “ French said. “All of these players have played at high levels of school and travel ball and have the ability to lead us in the future.”

Ferguson, Warner, Martinez and Metcalfe join newcomers Katrina Gaar and Caitlin Chance, who committed to UMBC in the fall.

Fefel Named Graduate Assistant at William Woods: UMBC’s all-time home run leader and 2010 Outstanding Female Senior Athlete Amanda Fefel was named graduate assistant pitching coach at William Woods University in Fulton, Mo. Fefel hit 43 career home runs an collected 219 hits, and she is UMBC’s first-ever four-time First-Team America East All-Conference member. On the mound, she ranks fourth all-time with 294 career strikeouts. Fefel will be pursuing her master’s degree in athletic administration at William Woods.

“This is a great opportunity for Amanda as she starts her coaching career,” French said.

Fall Schedule Announced: The Retrievers will play three tournaments, two scrimmages and an alumni game as part of their fall schedule.

UMBC kicks off the fall with two games at the Towson Tournament on Sept. 25, before traveling to George Washington a day later to take on the host Colonials and Maryland. The next weekend, the Retrievers host Catholic in a scrimmage on Oct. 3, then travel to George Mason for a scrimmage on Oct. 8 before hosting Towson and Delaware State in a tournament the next day.

UMBC closes out its fall schedule with an alumni game on Oct. 16 as part of Homecoming Weekend.

UMBC’s Fall Schedule

Sept. 25 at Towson Tournament

Sept. 26 at George Washington Tournament

            vs. Maryland 12 p.m.

            vs. George Washington 2 p.m.

Oct. 3 vs. Catholic 10 a.m.

Oct. 8 at George Mason 4 p.m.

Oct. 9 at UMBC Tournament

            vs. Towson 10 a.m.

            vs. Delaware State 12 p.m.

Oct. 16 Alumni Game TBA

2010 Fall Clinic: French and the Retrievers will host their annual fall clinic for girls ages 12 and up on Sunday, Oct. 17, at UMBC Softball Stadium from 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m. The schedule will include offensive, defensive and pitching/catching sessions in the morning with scrimmages and a question-and-answer period in the afternoon. The cost of the clinic is $45 before Oct. 10 or $50 thereafter. Group rates are available for five or more players who sign up together. The clinic is open to 40 players. For more information, contact Coach French at 410-455-1325 or jfrench@umbc.edu.

UMBC Fall Scholastic Retriever Classic: French and the Retrievers will also host the Second Annual UMBC Fall Scholastic Retriever Classic Oct. 23-24 at UMBC Softball Stadium. The entry fee is $300 per team plus $25 per game for the umpires. Due to limited space, the showcase will accommodate the first eight teams that register. Weather permitting, each team will play four 6-inning or 70-minute games, with each batter starting with a 1-1 count. The tournament is open to all travel ball teams in the 14, 16 and 18 divisions. Local collegiate coaches will be invited. For more information, contact Coach French at 410-455-1325 or jfrench@umbc.edu.

Retrievers to Host Open Tryouts: French will hold tryouts for the 2011 softball team Sept. 13 at 1:30 p.m. Any full-time student with NCAA eligibility is invited to audition with the current Retrievers. Contact Coach French at 410-455-1325 or jfrench@umbc.edu for more information and paperwork.