Rutgers Softball Hosts Stony Brook In Midweek Doubleheader
Mar 31 | Softball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers softball will host a doubleheader against Stony Brook on Wednesday, April 1, at the RU Softball complex. The America East powerhouse will be the second home contest for the Scarlet Knights this season.
In last year’s match-up, RU split with Stony Brook. Seniors Amanda Heller (Belle Mead, N.J.) and Sarah Kalka (Moreno Valley, Calif.) look to reproduce success at the plate in this year’s contest. Heller recorded two walks with an RBI on the day, while Kalka went 2-for-3 with a run scored in the victory last season.
Senior Chrissy Yard (Hillsborough, N.J.) had a solid performance last year during game two pitching a complete game allowing just six hits with five strikeouts to record the victory.
Heller’s success has continued into this season. The left fielder leads the team in batting average (.357) and runs scored (12). The Rutgers offensive arsenal also includes sophomore Mandy Craig (Manassas, Va.) who is second in run production with nine RBI.
Junior Nicole Lindley (Cicero, N.Y.) leads the Scarlet Knights on the rubber with a 2.80 ERA and seven wins. Although the junior did not see action against the Seawolves last season, with Yard’s experience leading the way, the RU pitchers will look to guide the Scarlet Knights back on track for the rest of the season.
The Seawolves hitters, seven of which are above a .300 batting average, will challenge the RU pitching staff. Molly Kestranek leads Stony Brook hitting .426 with two home runs and 12 RBI. The Scarlet Knights’ toughest challenge may be Marissa Fleury who is hitting .391 with 18 runs scored, 20 RBI and seven home runs.
Alyssa Struzenberg leads the Seawolves in the circle. The ace has a 1.25 ERA with 10 wins and 102 strikeouts in just 67 innings of work. The Scarlet Knights will look to wake up the bats and bounce back from their last outing.
Following the midweek doubleheader, Rutgers will host a pair of BIG EAST Conference foes. The Scarlet Knights will take on St. John’s on Saturday, April 4, at 12:00 p.m. and then matchup with Georgetown on Sunday, April 5, also at 12:00 p.m.
