Rutgers
11-7, 0
Indiana
9-21, 0
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rutgers | 0 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 13 | 1 |
| Indiana | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 2 |
Softball Rolls Over Indiana for First B1G Win
Mar 20 | Softball
BLOOMINGTON, IND. (March 20, 2015) - With a total of 13 hits contributed collectively from all nine batters and seven straight innings of work from senior Alyssa Landrith (Vacaville, Calif.), the Rutgers softball team made history in its inaugural Big Ten matchup, claimingan 11-5 victory over Indiana on Friday night at the Andy Mohr Field.
"We had a great day at the plate as everyone in the lineup had at least one hit," said head coach Jay Nelson. "We had 13 hits with three doubles and two home runs. Alyssa got off to a slow start, but she settled down in the third and shut Indiana out the rest of the way."
RU improves to an overall record of 11-7 and 1-0 in the Big Ten, while IU falls to 9-21 and 0-1 in conference play.
In the Scarlet Knights' stellar night at the plate, junior Stephanie Huang (Paramus, N.J.) led the way with three hits, four RBIs and one run. Senior Jackie Bates (Lincroft, N.J.) and junior Melanie Slowinski (Severn, Md.) each recorded a home run in the victory.
Indiana put one across in the bottom of the first, but the Hoosiers would not hold the lead long. Big Ten Freshman of the Week and ECAC Rookie of the week, Rebecca Hall (Fairfax, Va.), opened the second inning for RU with a base hit. After sophomore Bridget Carr (Pequannock, N.J.) recorded her first career double to put runners on second and third, Huang registered an RBI single to tie the game. Up next, senior Chandler Howard (North Wilmington, Del.) recorded an RBI single of her own to give RU the lead, 2-1, in the top of the second.
The Hoosiers would go on to work a four-run inning on three hits, generating a 5-1 advantage to end the second inning.
RU countered with a seven-run inning of its own to take control of the game. Junior Jordan Whitley (Clayton, Del.) led off with a single, breaking open the rally. As the next two batters up loaded the bases, Carr drew a walk to send Whitley home. Huang would then blast a double to left center, bringing all three runs in. Bates capped off the rally with a two-run homer for the third consecutive contest to give the Scarlet Knights a 9-5 edge.
Despite letting up one hit, Landrith and the defense retired the final batter at the plate to end the third inning unharmed.
After sophomore Carly Todd (Deptford, N.J.) registered a double, junior Elizabeth Adams (Crystal Lake, Ill.) brought her home to extend RU's lead to 10-5 in the top of the fourth.
Landrith and the defense held the Hoosiers hitless and scoreless for the next two innings to maintain the advantage.
Slowinski led off the sixth inning for Rutgers with a homer to set the Scarlet Knight lead at 11-5.
Landrith then retired the three of the four final IU batters at the plate to seal the first ever Big Ten victory for Rutgers softball.
The Scarlet Knights continue the three-game series at Indiana with a Saturday afternoon matchup. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
Knight Notes
- In its inaugural Big Ten matchup, Rutgers recorded an 11-5 victory over Indiana.
- Alyssa Landrith pitched a complete game to register her 58th career victory and to move into sole possession of the third-place spot in the Rutgers record books.
- Landrith ranks first on the all-time career list with 543 career strikeouts.
- All nine Scarlet Knight batters to the plate recorded at least one hit, while a total of eight registered at least one run.
- The Scarlet Knights registered their second highest team batting average this season with a .361 clip in the contest.
- Jackie Bates registered a two-run homer for the third consecutive game to bring her season total to seven.
- Bates ranks second on the all-time list with 25 career home runs.
- Melanie Slowinski registered her first home run of the season.
- Stephanie Huang tied her career-high with four RBIs and extended her hit streak to 10 consecutive games.
- Bridget Carr registered her first collegiate double.
- Becca Hall extended her hit streak to 10 straight contests.
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-
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Landrith, Alyssa (6-4)
L: Lora Olson (6-14)
Batting:
2B: Huang, Stephanie 1 ; Todd, Carly 1 ; Carr, Bridget 1
HR: Bates, Jackie 1 ; Slowinski, Melanie 1
RBI: Huang, Stephanie 4 ; Howard, Chandler 1 ; Bates, Jackie 2 ; Slowinski, Melanie 1 ; Adams, Elizabeth 1 ; Carr, Bridget 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Huang, Stephanie 1 ; Howard, Chandler 1 ; Bates, Jackie 1 ; Whitley, Jordan 1 ; Slowinski, Melanie 2 ; Todd, Carly 2 ; Adams, Elizabeth 1 ; Carr, Bridget 2
SB: Huang, Stephanie 1
Batting:
2B: Kelsey Dotson 1
RBI: Erin Lehman 1 ; Kelsey Dotson 4
SH: Brianna Meyer 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Brianna Meyer 2 ; Erin Lehman 1 ; Michelle Huber 1 ; Taylor Uden 1
