Softball prepares for doubleheader against Howard

The Terrapin softball team knows its loss to Towson on Saturday came against a lesser opponent. Heading into its doubleheader today against Howard at Robert E. Taylor Stadium, the Terps want to make sure they don't let the same thing happen again at home.

The Terps (8-7) face Howard (1-8), a team that hasn't won since its first game of the year. The Bison play in the much-weaker MEAC. The Terps start their conference schedule this weekend against Virginia, another factor that might lead them to overlook today's opponent.

"When you're playing teams in not as competitive a conference as you, you've got to not settle," coach Laura Watten said. "That's what I got to get them to understand."

Watten has stressed that point all season, and the Terps are getting the message.

A 4-1 record on the weekend was no consolation for the Terps, who are still disappointed about wasting Kendra Knight's 18 strikeouts in their 2-0 loss to Towson. Though ACC play is right around the corner, the team is using the defeat as motivation headed into its tilt against Howard.

"I feel like we can't take them lightly, because they have nothing to lose," Knight said. "We have everything to lose. Coming out of the Towson loss and into Howard, we're pretty hungry."

Pitching wasn't an issue for the Terps during the weekend. Knight's dominant pitching garnered ACC Pitcher of the Week honors, and Kerry Hickey was solid on the mound as well.

Though the Terps' offense showed signs of improvement, at times their bats went ice-cold over the weekend. The team knows it needs to be more consistent, specifically at the plate, no matter the opponent.

"We can't be a rollercoaster. We can't be up and down," Watten said. "These teams are going to come in here, and they're going to challenge you and give you their best game. We're supposed to be the big dog. We have to be consistent."

The Terps' offense should have little trouble scoring against a Howard pitching staff that sports an 8.68 ERA.

But the Terps attest that their level of focus won't wane with a lesser opponent.
"Just treat them like any other team, any other game," Knight said. "Go out like any other day and play well."

schneider@umdbk.com