Softball goes 2-3 at Red & Black Showcase

Even as the Terrapin softball team's historical early-season struggles continued this weekend at the Red & Black Showcase in Athens, Ga., some glimmers of hope helped mitigate the team's 2-3 finish.

When the Terps were plagued by offensive woes, they suffered. A 1-0 loss to Iowa and a 5-0 defeat against Illinois State were mired by anemic offensive showings, and an 8-2 setback against host No. 3 Georgia showed just how far they stand from the ranks of the nation's elite.

But when they found their bats — as they did in a 4-3 victory over Lipscomb and a 3-1 win against East Carolina — the Terps thrived.

"We came back with a few good wins, but I felt like we could have had a better showing the first weekend out," coach Laura Watten said. "The good thing is we can go back to work, back to practice and fix some things."

The offense found life behind infielders Bree Hanafin and Candice Beards. Hanafin, a junior transfer from Baylor, paced the Terps with a .500 average for the weekend, going 4-for-8 with a double, a home run, two RBIs, a run scored and a walk. Her two-run home run against Georgia yesterday provided the Terps their lone bit of offense in the defeat.

Beards, making her collegiate debut, finished 4-for-10 on the weekend for a .400 average with a double and an RBI. The freshman showed great patience at the plate, with four walks, including three in the game against Lipscomb.

"Candice really got a lot of rallies going," Watten said. "She was crucial to our offenses production in a lot of games and led to a lot of runs that were scored."

The strong pitching that has been a staple of the team over the past year was hot and cold this weekend, even as it yielded a surprise performance from one newcomer. In her first career start Saturday against Lipscomb, freshman Ashley Czechner pitched a complete game, allowing three runs on five hits and a walk, while striking out nine batters.

"She definitely came out strong and really showed what she's going to be able to be for this program from the beginning," Watten said. "She's got a swagger, and she's got a confidence that is contagious."

Junior Kendra Knight pitched a two-hitter against Iowa to open the weekend Friday but gave up a solo home run in the fourth inning to take the 1-0 loss. Knight also took the loss against Georgia, giving up four runs in 2.1 innings.

Senior Kerry Hickey finished 1-1 on the weekend, losing to Illinois State and beating East Carolina. She was plagued by walks and against Illinois State gave up as many walks (six) as strikeouts.

"I just need to get my veterans on the same page and get them going," Watten said.

The team has time to regroup before its next slate of games begins Feb. 25 in Boca Raton, Fla., at the Florida Atlantic Tournament. Watten said she was happy with how her team performed defensively and knows that with Hickey, Knight and now Czechner, the Terps' pitching will be fine.

As the season goes on, though, and the weather gets warmer, Watten feels the Terps' bats will heat up, too.

"It's obvious we spent a lot of time in the [practice] bubble," she said.

dgallen@umdbk.com