The UMaine Softball Team traveled to Baltimore last weekend and swept the University of Maryland Baltimore County Retrievers, UMBC, in a three game series. This is not an easy feat, as sweeping a series in the sport is uncommon. This great effort by the Softball team earns them a spot as this week’s Her Campus UMaine’s Campus Celebrity.
The Black Bears took the weekend series by playing three solid games, and taking advantage of UMBC’s mistakes, according to Junior infielder Margaret Hilton.
“Our offense and defense both showed up, which was something we had struggled with. We would play great in the field, but our bats would be dead, or we would be ripping the ball and our defense would be sloppy,” Hilton said. “We finally put the whole puzzle together.”
Hilton said it is hard to sweep a series in the America East Conference, because all teams play at a similar level, with no dominant team.
“It is not common [to sweep a team] because it is easy to beat an opposing team twice, but third they know the team by then,” said Junior short stop Jen Eberhardt. “It is a good accomplishment because every time each team is looking to sweep the opposing team.”
Hilton said they have no real rivals in the conference however they would love to beat Boston University, because they always win.
“I would love to be the team that knocks them out of the tournament this year,” Hilton said.
Lead by captains Terren Hall, Brynne Davis, and Cassie Hodgson, the team started their season with a February trip to Louisiana, and spent their spring break playing softball in Florida. The game against the Retrievers was their first of conference play, and they continue this weekend, with games at Boston University. Regular season play ends on May 7 and 8 in Orono, with games against Hartford.
With regular season play just underway, the team has high hopes for the season. They have a 12-19 record so far this season.
“I hope we can have a good conference season and make it back to the America East tournament again. We hosted it last year, we were ranked second in America East, and it was so much fun,” Hilton said. “Everyone’s goal is to win the America East, and we were so close last year, so hopefully we can take the whole thing this year.”
Eberhardt said she is excited for the season, and acknowledged when the Black Bears play best.
“Our team is looking good when we all play together as a team. We do really well when we are all loud and fired up for the game,” Eberhardt said. “As long as we keep the energy level up for all seven innings we will be ready for anyone.”
Support these Campus Celebrities, and check out some games. The schedule is available at http://www.goblackbears.com/sports/w-softbl/2010-11/schedule.
“I am excited for the rest of season because we have some good games ahead and it will be exciting to see all the hard work pay off,” Eberhardt said. “I am especially excited to see the team come together and have everyone contribute and work hard to win.”
Images from goblackbears.com
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at U Maine chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.