Softball Finishes Day Two at the Gaucho Classic, 1-1

Saturday, February 14

Santa Barbara, Calif.

1:30 PM

Rutgers

2-2

Saint Mary's

2-6

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
St. Mary's CA	2	0	0	1	1	0	0	4	8	0
Rutgers	1	0	2	0	0	0	0	3	8	2

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Rutgers	2	0	0	0	0	1	2	1	6	5	3
UC Santa Barbara	1	1	0	0	1	0	2	0	5	11	5

Softball Finishes Day Two at the Gaucho Classic, 1-1

Feb 14 | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Feb. 14, 2015

Final Stats

SANTA BARBARA, CALIF. (Feb. 13, 2015)- In day two of the Gaucho Classic, the Rutgers softball team went 1-1, defeating host Santa Barbara, 6-5, while falling Saint Mary's (Calif.), 4-3, on Saturdayat the Campus Diamond. The Scarlet Knights move to a record of 2-2 to start the season.

GAME ONE: RUTGERS VS. UCSB- BOX SCORE In a rematch with host UCSB, RU pushed the game to extra innings to take the win 6-5.

Rutgers took advantage on two walks and an error, setting up an RBI from juniorMelanie Slowinski(Severn, Md.)followed by another from freshmanRebecca Hall (Fairfax, Va.)to start off the game with a 2-0 lead.

Santa Barbara responded with a double from MeShalon Moore, which scored Kristen Clark to make the score 2-1.

Despite another error from UCSB in the top of the second, Rutgers stranded juniorStephanie Huang (Paramus, N.J.)on base in its next at bat. In the bottom of the second, the Gauchos would go on to tie the count, 2-2, after Stacy Cavaszos stole second giving Jessica Johnston the opportunity to send her home with a single.

Following a scoreless third and fourth inning, UCSB scored a run in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead. However, it wouldn't last long as RU countered with the tying run, setting the score at 3-3.

JuniorChandler Howard(North Wilmington, Del.)kept the momentum going, blasting a double to open the top of the seventh. Hall singled to advance Howard to third. A wild pitch then gave Howard the chance to score, followed by a run from Hall on a throwing error. Rutgers had generated a 5-3 lead.

The Scarlet Knight defense would return to the field to hold off the Gauchos for one last inning. The first two batters flied out to leave seniorAlyssa Landrith (Vacaville, Calif.)one out away from victory. A homer from Samantha Stark would bring in two runs to tie the score 5-5 and extend the contest to an eighth inning.

JuniorLiz Adams (Crystal Lakes, Ill.)kicked off the extra inning for RU by stealing third base. The momentum continued as an error would send Adams home.

With the score 6-5, UCSB had its turn at the plate. With runners on second and third, Landrith sent Johnston down swinging. Despite walking Hinojosa, Landrith would bounce back registering another strike out to make it two outs as Arianna Palomares came up to bat. Landrith never let up, forcing Palomares to ground out to second and to take the win.

GAME TWO: RUTGERS VS. SAINT MARY'S - BOX SCORE

The Scarlet Knights returned to the diamond for another rematch against Saint Mary's, however, RU suffered a close 4-3 loss this time around.

In the opening inning, the Gaels established a 2-0 lead. Due to a walk and a wild pitch, the Gaels had two runners in scoring position as Monika Reichhardt came up to the plate. Reichhardt hit a single through left center to send in two Gaels. SophomoreShayla Sweeney (Barrington, N.J.)struck out the final batter to escape the inning down by only two runs.

The Rutgers offense quickly responded. Huang led off for RU, nailing a single through the right side. Up next, Howard blasted her second double of the day to send Huang home, making it a one run contest.

After a scoreless second inning for either side, Sweeney held three straight Gaels from reaching base. Rutgers capitalized on a hit by pitch and walk asJordan Whitley (Clayton, Del.)singled to scoreJackie Bates (Lincroft, N.J.). The Scarlet Knights momentum did not end there as Adams sent in Slowinski to take the lead 3-2 at the bottom of the third.

Moving to the top of the fourth, Sarah Lira homered to center field to tie the score, 3-3. However, that would be the only run despite three hits for the Gaels.

After Rutgers stranded a runner in scoring position, Saint Mary's returned to the plate. With two outs, Loralie Fitzpatrick doubled to left center, followed by Reichhardt with her second RBI of the day, sending in Fitzpatrick and giving SMC a 4-3 edge.

Despite stranding the tying run in the bottom of the sixth, Rutgers kept it a one-run game as it was 1-2-3 and out forDresden Maddox (Kennesaw, Ga.)who had entered for the remaining 2.1 innings of play.

Rutgers had its chance to take the win with both Howard and Bates in scoring position, having recorded a single each. However, Lujane Mussadi would retire the next three batters to seal the win for SMC.

The Scarlet Knights return to action tomorrow against former BIG EAST foe Pittsburgh in its final game at the Guacho Classic. The contest is set for a noon start.

KNIGHT NOTABLES

Alyssa Landrith moves to 1-1 on the season with the victory over UCSB.
Chandler Howard has registered a double in three of the four games to date.
Meaghan Wells recorded her first two career starts, recording an RBI and a hit across both games.

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).

- RU-