Softball Shuts Out Saint Mary's, 4-0

Friday, February 27

Fresno, Calif.

5:00 PM

Rutgers

3-3

Saint Mary's

5-10

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

Feb 27 | Softball

Box Score

Feb. 27, 2015

Final Stats

FRESNO, CALIF. (Feb. 27, 2015) - Opening day one of the Fresno State Louisville Slugger Bash, the Rutgers softball team shut outSaint Mary's, 4-0, on Friday afternoon at the Margie Wright Diamond.

Rutgers improved to an overall record of 3-3.

Senior Alyssa Landrith (Vacaville, Calif.) pitched a complete game to record the 22nd shutout of her career. Landrith currently sits at third all-time in the career record books and needs just two more shutouts to tie for second on the list.

Senior Jackie Bates (Lincroft, N.J.) led the Scarlet Knights with a 3-for-3 showing, including the first triple of her career. Junior Jordan Whitley (Clayton, Del.) also added the first career triple of her own in the win.

THE GAME

Landrith started off the game strong for RU, retiring SMC's first three batters at the plate.

The Scarlet Knight offense took the field next as senior Chandler Howard (North Wilmington, Del.) extended her hit streak to six with a single to center field, followed by Bates with a single of her own. However, Rutgers would strand both Howard and Bates on base to end the inning.

Saint Mary's Loralie Fitzpatrick recorded the Gaels' first hit with a double to right center, followed by Bilotta drawing a walk. However, RU shut down the brewing SMC momentum as Whitley ignited a double play to first to end the inning with the score tied at zero.

In the bottom of the second, Whitley continued to heat up as she led off the Rutgers offense with her first career triple. With a sacrifice fly from sophomoreBridget Carr (Peaquannock, N.J.), Whitley would score to put the Scarlet Knights on the board with a 1-0 advantage.

Rutgers maintained its momentum as the Scarlet Knights came alive in the bottom of the third. Howard registered a single to lead off the inning. Up next, Bates notched her first double of the season, knocking Howard in at home. As junior Melanie Slowinski (Severn, Md.) reached on an error Bates would cross home plate. Whitley continued the rally with an RBI single to score Slowinski and to give Rutgers a 4-0 lead.

After a stellar performance from the RU offense, Landrith held the defense strong with a 1-2-3 and out inning at the top of the fourth.

Returning to the plate for the third time of the day, Bates blasted a triple to lead off RU in the top of the fifth. Despite stranding Bates on base, Landrith and the Scarlet Knights would hold the Gaels off for the remaining innings to secure the victory 4-0.

Rutgers returns to action at 7 p.m. ET for its second game of the day against host Fresno State.

KNIGHT NOTES

Alyssa Landrith sits at third in the career record books with 22 shutouts. She needs just two more to tie for second on the all-time list.
Landrith recorded her second victory of the season to bring her career total to 54 wins. Landrith is three wins away from tying for the third all-time in the career record books.
With her four strikeouts against Saint Mary's, Landrith is now five away from tying for first on the all-time records with 513 career strikeouts.
Juniors Jackie Bates and Jordan Whitley recorded the first triples of their careers in the win over the Gaels.
Chandler Howard extended her hit streak to six games with two hits in the win.
Four different Scarlet Knights recorded a run in the victory - Chandler Howard, Jackie Bates, Melanie Slowinski and Jordan Whitley.

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 ).Fans can receive timely information, including special offers and giveaways throughout the year on our social media outlets along with www.ScarletKnights.com.

-RU-