Softball Wraps Up Nonconference Slate
Apr 27 | Softball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (April 27, 2015) -- The Rutgers softball team wraps up its nonconference slate with two midweek matchups. The Scarlet Knights will host LIU-Brooklyn on Tuesday, April 28 followed by a trip to Iona on Wednesday, April 29.
LIU BROOKLYN - APRIL 28, 4 P.M.
AT IONA -- APRIL 29, 3:30 P.M.
RU'S LAST TIME OUT
Last week, Rutgers (26-17, 10-10 Big Ten) registered a doubleheader sweep over Maryland on Tuesday before dropping three at Penn State over the weekend.
Senior Jackie Bates (Lincroft, N.J.) became RU's all-time career home runs leader, notching the 35th homer of her career in Saturday's contest. The senior centerfielder also holds the record for most homers in a single-season with 17 long balls this year.
Freshman Sierra Maddox (Kennesaw, Ga.) made a statement last week, earning the starting role in all five contests. In addition to a team-high three home runs on the week, the rookie led RU with a .400 batting average and a 1.067 slugging percentage across all five games. Maddox's slugging percentage ranked third amongst all Big Ten hitters.
In the circle, senior Alyssa Landrith (Vacaville, Calif.) claimed the Rutgers' career wins record, notching her 66th victory with a win over Maryland. At Penn State, Landrith had a strong outing in Sunday's contest, retiring 11 consecutive PSU hitters at the plate to open the game. The senior lefty then held the Nittany Lions scoreless for six straight innings before they were able to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh and ultimately take the win in extra innings. Landrith holds a 14-10 record on the season with an ERA of 3.29.
SCOUTING LIU-BROOKLYN
Over the weekend, LIU Brooklyn (18-27, 8-6 NEC) split a doubleheader against Bryant on Saturday and swept a doubleheader with St. Mary's on Sunday.
Whitney West paces the Blackbirds with a .319 batting average, including a team-high 43 hits and four triples. Nicole Archer leads the squad with seven home runs and a team-best 26 RBIs, along with a team-best 5.42 ERA and a win-loss record of 5-6. Alyssa Lanktree-Dotson follows with a 5.69 ERA and a record of 6-6.
Head coach Roy Kortmann is in his 21st season with the program.
SERIES VS. LIU-BROOKLYN
Rutgers leads Long Island, 16-6, in the all-time series between the squads. The Scarlet Knights have won three straight against the Blackbirds, claiming a 3-0 shutout in the last meeting on May 1, 2014.
SCOUTING IONA
Iona (14-22, 11-5 MAAC) claimed two wins over Quinnipiac on Saturday, including a 3-0 victory and a 3-2 win. The Gaels enter the week on a six-game win streak.
Kristen Turner leads the stat sheet with 10 home runs, seven doubles, 37 hits and 27 RBIs. Allison Hand has also registered 37 hits on the season and maintains a .322 batting average.
Christine Castello paces the pitching staff with a 2.87 ERA and a win-loss mark of 5-4, while Jordan Courage maintains a 5.86 ERA and a 5-10 record.
The Gaels are led by third-year head coach Melissa Inouye.
SERIES VS. IONA
Rutgers owns a 7-0 all-time record against Iona. Most recently, the Scarlet Knights registered a 9-5 victory over the Gaels on April 18, 2013.
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