CLEARWATER, Fla. (Feb. 23, 2014) - Rutgers softball junior centerfielder Jackie Bates (Lincroft, N.J.) was named the NFCA Division I Leadoff Classic Most Valuable Player, announced Sunday. Bates hit .438 (7-for-16) in the five game tournament, recording three doubles, a home run and nine RBIs. She also slugged .813 and scored three runs.

The Middletown HS South product hit safely in all but one game over the weekend, posting two multi-hit games and three multi-RBI games. She went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and a home run to guide RU to a 10-6 win over the College of Charleston, also notching three RBIs in a 2-for-4 game against DePaul.

RU returns to action on Friday, Feb. 28, when the squad travels to Northridge, Calif., to participate in the CSUN Tournament. The Scarlet Knights will take on Portland State in their first three games of the tournament before closing with two games against CSUN from March 1-2.

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-RU-