As a pitcher for Delaware State?s softball team, Ashley Gray always knew she was in for a tough day when she faced the University of Maryland-Baltimore County.
Loaded with great hitters, UMBC led the America East Conference last season with a .321 team batting average. Gray dreamed that if she ever had that lineup on her side, her job on the mound would become easier.
This spring, that dream became a reality for Gray, a Northeast High graduate, after she transferred to the Catonsville school after last season. She immediately made her presence felt by becoming one of UMBC?s top pitchers and helping dramatically improve a pitching staff that ranked fifth out of nine conference teams in team ERA (3.01) in 2006.
“I was unhappy at Delaware State, and I knew UMBC had a great program that I wanted to be a part of,” Gray said. “Here, everyone knows their roles and understands what it takes to win.”
Gray is one of four pitchers for the Retrievers (14-8, 1-2 conference), who had a 2.41 team ERA after losing two of three games against 2006 America East regular-season champ Maine. Gray dropped to 3-4 after losing the first game of Saturday?s double-header to Maine, 3-1, in 13 innings.
But prior to allowing a three-run homer in the 13th, Gray struck out 12 and allowed four previous hits and a walk. Gray had a 1.83 ERA with 43 strikeouts and 24 walks in 61.1 innings through Sunday.
Joining Gray at the top of UMBC?s rotation is freshman Amanda Fefel. The Catonsville High graduate is 6-1 with a 2.05 ERA, 36 strikeouts and 14 walks in 44.1 innings. Fefel pitched six shutout innings and allowed two hits and two walks while striking out three in UMBC?s 7-0 win in the second game against Maine.
“In high school, you had breaks in the lineup, but here, hitters one through nine can play,” Fefel said.
UMBC coach Joe French said the additions of Gray and Fefel are the perfect complement to his rotation, which already included senior Jessica Taylor (Mount de Sales) and sophomore Krista Kearns.
“Each pitcher brings a different look to the mound,” French said. “We knew we could hit as a team, but having this kind of depth makes us even better.”
