College Softball News

Rutgers Softball 2015 Season Outlook

Rutgers Softball

Courtesy of Rutgers Athletics

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Feb. 10, 2015) – Coming off one of its best seasons in program history, the Rutgers softball team is set for another historic year as the Scarlet Knights begin their inaugural season in the Big Ten Conference.

“Our goal is to compete at a high level and make some noise in the Big Ten Conference Tournament and move on to the NCAA Regional Tournament,” said head coach Jay Nelson, who enters his ninth season at Rutgers. “We have made improvements every year since my staff arrived here ‘On the Banks’ and we are looking for that breakthrough season.”

In 2014, the Scarlet Knights recorded an overall record of 28-19 and 9-9 in its first and only season as a member of the American Athletic Conference. RU captured its first postseason win since 1998 and posted its highest winning percentage (.596) since 1995.

The Scarlet Knights return 13 letterwinners, including five starters, from last season’s squad. In addition, the team adds five newcomers to the roster.

Nelson and his coaching staff will lead the team through four nonconference tournaments in preparation of four Big Ten road series and four conference home matchups in 2015.

PITCHING
Rutgers returns a solid pitching staff in 2015. Leading the crew is senior left-hander Alyssa Landrith (Vacaville, Calif.).

In 2014, Landrith compiled a 17-8 overall record last season and 2.45 ERA. She became the fourth pitcher in school history with 50 wins. She moved into third place in all-time RU history with 21 shutouts and enters the season in second-place all-time with 489 strikeouts (29 shy of first) and tied for second all-time with five saves.

“Alyssa is in her senior year and we will rely on her to carry the load,” said Nelson. “She is used to doing this for us as she already has two 17-win seasons and one 18-win season.  She has all the pitches and has looked good in practice.”

Junior righty Dresden Maddox (Kennesaw, Ga.) returns to full strength this season. Maddox earned two victories at the start of last season before being limited due to injury.

“Last year, Dresden suffered an injury in the first month of the season that held her back,” said Nelson. “She is beginning this season injury free and we are counting on her to be a big contributor this year.”

Sophomores Shayla Sweeney (Barrington, N.J.) and Aubrie Levine (Yorba Linda, Calif.) add depth within the circle making it a prominent position for RU in 2015.

“Shayla had a good freshmen year and despite facing tough competition she earned nine wins,” said Nelson. “I have also seen improvement in Aubrie in both her change up and balance in her pitching mechanics.”

OUTFIELD
The outfielders hold the majority of the Scarlet Knights’ top strength with two starters returning following the graduation of starting right fielder Loren Williams. Among the returning starters are seniors Jackie Bates (Lincroft, N.J.) and Chandler Howard (North Wilmington, Del.), who highlight the power and talent within the group.

In 2014, Bates led RU with a .390 batting average, 16 doubles, 40 RBIs and a .685 slugging percentage, starting all games at center field. Her 16 doubles in 2014 marked the third-most recorded by a Scarlet Knight in a single season in program history.

Howard finished the year hitting .389 with a team-leading 63 hits, 29 RBIs, nine doubles and nine home runs. Her 63 hits were the third-most in a single-season in school history, while her nine homeruns have tied her for fourth all-time on the single season list.

“Both Chandler and Jackie are our most consistent hitters and have the most power on the team.  They both do a great job in the outfield,” said Nelson.

Sophomore Carly Todd (Deptford, N.J.) will fill the void left at right field.  Todd started 32 games last season between right field and second base, recording a .897 fielding percentage and tying for second on the team with six stolen bases.

“Our everyday right fielder will be Carly Todd and she is also our back up shortstop.  She has the range and arm to play shortstop which also translates to being a good right fielder,” said Nelson.

Freshman Jacqueline Kott (Burlington, N.J.) and Meaghan Wells (Piscataway, N.J.) round out the outfield roles.

“We will use a combination of Jacqueline and Meaghan in right field to start the season.  Both are freshmen and both have shown increasing talent to earn them a chance at starting,” explained Nelson.

INFIELD
Juniors Jordan Whitley (Clayton, Del.), Stephanie Huang (Paramus, N.J.) and Melanie Slowinski (Severn, Md.) continue their careers “On the Banks,” building a strong force at the infield positions.

Whitley started all of her 45 game appearances at third base for RU last season, hitting at a .219 clip. Huang finished the year with the team’s third-best hitting percentage (.336) as the starting second baseman. Slowinski started 43 of 45 games at shortstop, recording 28 RBIs, two homeruns and a stolen base.

“Jordan is solid on defense and I have seen signs of her hitting improvement.  Stephanie has the speed and is a good hitter and Melanie is very athletic with good range and a great arm,” explained Nelson.

First base boasts tremendous talent between sophomore Bridget Carr (Pequannock, N.J.) and newcomer Rebecca Hall (Fairfax, Va.).

Carr earned three starts in eight games of her freshman campaign. Hall, a Fairfax High School product, enters the group as a three-time first team all-conference and two-time first team all-region as a three-year varsity starter.

“Bridget has a year under her belt and is a good defensive first base player,” said Nelson. “Becca is a raw talent and we will see how she works into the lineup.  She has power and makes contact.  Defensively, she does well at first base.”

Adding support to the positions includes Scarlet Knights Meaghan Wells at second base, Carly Todd at shortstop and freshman Sierra Maddox (Kennesaw, Ga.), younger sister of Dresden Maddox, at third base.

“Sierra is a flat out hitter.  She never gets cheated with her swing and she hits for power and average,” said Nelson. “She also has a great arm and is quick to the bunt from the third base position.”

CATCHING
Behind the plate, junior Elizabeth Adams (Crystal Lake, Ill.) will take the starting role for the Scarlet Knights and will be backed up sophomore Dana Hendry (Yorba Linda, Calif.).

Adams stepped up to fill the role as a sophomore last season, starting 31 games of her 32 appearances. She registered the second-most putouts on the team with a total of 208. Hendry made five starts and played in nine games, going 4-for-15 (.267) with a double.

“Liz looks like the most improved batter over the summer.  She has been hitting the ball well in practice and is our number one catcher,” said Nelson.

“Hendry will be our backup catcher. She is a contact hitter and does a competent job of handling pitchers.”

Newcomers Danielle Petrone (Wall, N.J.) and Sierra Maddox bring in added experience to contribute depth to the position as well.

SCHEDULE
Entering its third conference over a three-year span, Rutgers will face Big Ten opponents Michigan State, Michigan, Maryland and Wisconsin at home and travel to take on Indiana, Purdue, Ohio State and Penn State.

Michigan and Wisconsin, both of which will visit Piscataway in 2015, are the lone conference foes on the schedule to qualify for the 2014 NCAA Division I Softball Tournament. The Badgers were eliminated at regionals, while the co-Big Ten regular season champion Wolverines advanced to Super Regionals before falling to Florida State.

“It is a highly competitive conference with as many as five teams in the top 25 and one team (Michigan) that has an NCAA Championship under their belt,” said Nelson. “We only play eight of the 13 other teams [in the regular season] so there will be five teams that we may face in the Big Ten Conference Tournament that we have not faced all year. This is part of the excitement and fun of our new conference.”

In addition to Big Ten play, RU faces a challenging nonconference slate with four road tournaments and nine head-to-head nonconference matchups.

Rutgers kicks off the season in Santa Barbra, Calif., participating in a tournament hosted by the University of California – Santa Barbara (UCSB) from Friday, Feb. 13 to Sunday, Feb. 15. The Scarlet Knights will return to the Golden State two weeks later for a tournament at Fresno State (Feb. 27-March 1).

The Scarlet Knights continue on the road with a three-day trip to Albuquerque, N.M. for an invitational at New Mexico (March 6-8). The team will then travel to Clearwater, Fla. for a tournament hosted by USF, including Central Michigan, Iowa State, Toledo, UMass and UW – Green Bay.

On Friday, Mar. 20, Rutgers makes history in its first Big Ten game on the road at Indiana. The teams will compete in a three-game series at Andy Mohr Field.

Next up, RU participates in two weekday nonconference contests at Monmouth (Mar. 24) and Hofstra (Mar. 25).

The Scarlet Knights cross paths with their second conference foe, Purdue, in a three-game road series from Friday, Mar. 27 to Sunday, Mar. 29. After a doubleheader at Stony Brook (April 1), Rutgers returns to Piscataway for its home opener. RU welcomes Michigan State to the RU Softball Complex for a series starting on Friday, April 3.

Following the weekend at home, the Scarlet Knights hit the road again traveling to St. John’s (April 7) for another nonconference matchup. The team hosts Princeton the day after (April 8).

Michigan, ranked No. 8 by the preseason NFCA Coaches poll, arrives “On the Banks” on Friday, April 10 for a three-game series before Rutgers makes a trip to former conference opponent and in-state rival Seton Hall on Tuesday, April 14. The team then returns home for a doubleheader with Villanova (April 15).

The Scarlet Knights return to Big Ten play with a series at Ohio State (April 17-19), a doubleheader against Maryland at home (April 21), and a series at Penn State (April 24-26). The game against the Terps will be the only mid-week doubleheader against a conference opponent.

The squad splits the following week home and away. First the team hosts LIU – Brooklyn on Tuesday, April 28 before wrapping up its nonconference slate with a road trip to Iona on Wednesday, April 29.

RU concludes its 2015 regular season campaign, hosting Wisconsin from Friday, May 1 to Sunday, May 3.

The Big Ten Championship is set for Thursday, May 7 to Saturday, May 9 in Columbus, Ohio. Based on the regular season results, the top twelve teams will qualify for the tournament.

OUTLOOK
With experience and power in all positions around the diamond, the Rutgers softball team is set for its historic season in the Big Ten Conference. Coach Nelson has no doubt that this squad has the skill and discipline for a standout year.

“I expect us to have a 30-win season and compete for the Big Ten Championship,” said Nelson.

Overall, the Scarlet Knights are excited for the transition and for the new challenges that lay in the schedule.

“The team and staff all look forward to competing in our new home.”

Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics) and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding Rutgers softball, follow the program on Twitter (@RUSoftball) and Instagram (@RU_Softball). The team is also on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersSB).

To Top