Softball conference dates added to 2023 schedule

PISCATAWAY, NJ The 2023 Rutgers softball schedule was revealed and features 18 home dates, including the annual Rutgers Tournament, and five nonconference tournament weekends with trips to California, South Alabama, South Carolina, Texas and Florida. The Scarlet Knight slate also features two NCAA Women’s World Series opponents and a 23-game, eight-team Big Ten schedule.

“We are eager to hit the field this season,” the head coach said Kristen Butler which begins its fifth production of “On The Banks.” “We have seasoned veterans on our roster and newcomers who will immediately fit into our lineup. The fall schedule allowed this group to come together and continue to develop as a team and we are excited to see how we can show our growth and skill in the spring season. The schedule we have put together will not only provide our team with a variety of ​​challenges, but also gives team members the opportunity to play close to family and friends across the country. The non-conference schedule will help prepare for Big Ten play and beyond. The season is right around the corner and we’re excited to get going.”

The first 27 games of the 2023 season will be played in non-conference play before hosting the Rutgers Tournament to conclude the non-conference tournament.

The year starts at Sacramento State on the 10th-12th. in February at the NorCalKickoff, with the host Hornets, UC Davis, Utah Valley, Pacific and Seattle U among this year’s participants. The Scarlet Knights continue on the road to South Alabama on the 17th-18th. in February to face the host Jaguars along with MVC Champions Missouri State and Mississippi Valley. The February performance continues at the College of Charleston on the 24th-26th. in February with the Cougars and Robert Morris and Syracuse as hosts.

March begins at Texas Tech on the 3rd-5th. March and games with the host Red Raiders, North Dakota and Seton Hall. and at the University of Florida from 10 to 12 March. While in Gainesville, the Scarlet Knights will play host to the Gators, a 2022 NCAA Women’s World Series participant, along with a pair of Sun Belt Champions and NCAA Clemson Regional members Louisiana-Lafayette and Mercer. Rutgers will also play at UCF in a Wednesday game in Orlando on March 14 before returning home to host the annual tournament.

The Rutgers tournament will feature 11 games from 17-19 at the RU Softball Complex. March, when the Scarlet Knights will welcome Holy Cross, Iona, UMass-Lowell and St. Peter’s to their home court.

The non-conference schedule also includes a pair of Wednesday contests with Monmouth. Rutgers will travel to West Long Branch on Wednesday, April 11th and host the Hawks on Tuesday, April 18th.

Scarlet Knight softball will face eight teams in the league, hosting Purdue, Maryland, Indiana and Northwestern at the Rutgers Softball Complex while hitting the road for series at Illinois, Ohio State, Penn State and Iowa this season.

Last season, the Big Ten sent a total of eight teams to the postseason with seven teams in the NCAA Tournament and RU’s appearance in the National Invitational Softball Championship. Of last year’s Big Ten NCAA Tournament teams, Illinois, Ohio State and Northwestern are on this year’s roster. The Wildcats, hosted by Rutgers on the final weekend of the regular season, advanced to the 2022 Women’s College World Series.

Rutgers’ Big Ten schedule begins the weekend of March 24 at Illinois. The first Big Ten home dates include Purdue on the weekend of March 31st and a midweek matchup with Maryland on April 4th or 5th. The Scarlet Knights go back on the road to travel to Ohio State the weekend of April 7th and Penn State the weekend of April. 14. The schedule continues with a home weekend series with Indiana beginning on April 21. The month ends at Iowa on the weekend of April 28th, while the regular season Big Ten schedule wraps up at the RU Softball Complex against Northwestern on the weekend of May 5th.

The 2023 Big Ten Tournament will be held on the 10th-13th. May in Champaign, Illinois.

All Big Ten Conference home games at the Rutgers Softball Complex are played on Fridays and Saturdays at 3:00 p.m., with Sunday games starting at 1:00 p.m.

The opponent of the conference points out:

Illinois: 34-22 overall, Big Ten 15-7, NCAA Columbia Regional
Indiana: 27-22 overall, 11-7 Big Ten
Iowa: 21-31 overall, 3-20 in Big Ten
Maryland: 29-23 overall, 14-7 in Big Ten
Northwestern: 45-13 overall, 19-4 Big Ten, NCAA Evanston Regional champion,
Ohio State: 36-17 overall, 13-9 in the Big Ten
Penn State: 32-22 overall, 13-10 in the Big Ten
Purdue: 24-31 overall, 7-15 Big Ten, NCAA Knoxville Regional

Rutgers softball made its second appearance in the National Invitational Softball Championship after recording its best start in 41 seasons a year ago.

The Scarlet Knights return 20 letterwinners and welcome six newcomers ‘To The Banks’. Rutgers had two Scarlet Knights named First Team All-Big Ten for the first time in program history last year, including a returning junior shortstop. Kyleigh Sand. Sand hit a team-best .398 with 68 hits, 48 ​​runs, 12 doubles and 23 RBI, along with 23 stolen bases. The Scarlet Knights also welcome back 2019 NFCA All-Region selection redshirt senior catcher Katie Wingertwho begins the year fifth on RU’s all-time home run leader list.

As a team, Rutgers finished the 2022 campaign with the most strikeouts (305), fifth in doubles (73), eighth in runs (238) and ninth in RBI (212). Jugs Ashley Hitchcock and Jaden Vickers looking to make the career strikeout leader list. Hitchcock is sixth all-time with 269 career strikeouts and Vickers is seventh with 267 career K’s. The senior third baseman also wants to move up the career charts Payton Lincavage who begins the year tied for eighth on RU’s all-time triples leader list.

Admission to all Rutgers home games at the RU Softball Complex is free.

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