Now in her fifth year on the job, Laura Watten has brought a dynamic new energy to the Maryland softball program. The Terrapin mentor has transformed the culture surrounding the Maryland program and brought an exciting brand of softball to Robert E. Taylor Stadium. None of it should be surprising, though. Watten's way is the "can-do" way, and it is precisely the approach the coach has taken in her quest to drive Maryland's softball program to national prominence. Hired prior to the start of the 2005-06 academic year, Watten has worked extensively to elevate all aspects of the program in an effort to put the Terps in a position to succeed on a national scale. The 2009 campaign saw Watten's Terps finish fourth in the ACC - their highest finish in her tenure. They earned a 9-11 record in conference play and racked up the most conference wins in a season under Watten. The 2008 campaign saw Watten's Terps post the third-highest win total (36) in team history, including a school-record 16-game winning streak early in the season. Maryland used a blazing 19-1 start to achieve national rankings in both the ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 and the USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 polls for the first time since 1999. In 2007, the Maryland program reaped the full benefits of Watten's recruiting efforts. Nine newcomers joined the team, including five transfers, and Maryland's lineup was transformed into an offensive juggernaut. The Terps shattered previous team records for home runs with 59 and stolen bases with 98 and set numerous individual records. Amber Jackson enjoyed the greatest offensive season in school history, setting new single-season records for batting average (.408), runs (61), home runs (24), RBIs (56) and walks (55). Jackson led the NCAA in home runs and was a first-team All-America selection by Easton. During Watten's first season in College Park in 2006, the Terps improved their win total by four victories. Belak set a team-record with 70 hits to lead a rejuvenated offense. Watten was fresh off leading Bethune-Cookman College to the 2005 NCAA Division I Super Regionals when she was tapped to lead the Terps' program. In guiding the Wildcats to a 49-win season, Watten garnered 2005 NFCA Southeast Region Coach of the Year honors. During Watten's eight years at B-CC, the Wildcats made five NCAA Regional appearances and captured five conference titles. The four-time MEAC coach of the Year posted an eight-year mark of 322-207 and averaged more than 40 wins per season. |
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