2015 Softball Season Recap
Jun 08 | Softball
2015 SCHEDULE | SEASON STATS | RUTGERS RECORDS
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (June 8, 2015) -- While already poised for an historic year in its inaugural season in the Big Ten Conference, the Rutgers softball team went above and beyond during the 2015 campaign. Behind the senior class' efforts to re-work the program record books, the Scarlet Knights set numerous program and individual records throughout the year.
RU posted an overall record of 29-20, including arecord of 11-12 league action, marking the second-most wins in program history. Additionally, the 11 Big Ten victories were the most in conference play since the 1990 campaign. The 2015 squad also set highs in home runs (51) and RBIs (255), while the team's 433 hits and .310 batting average ranked third on the charts.
Overall, Rutgers finished the regular season ranked 7th in the league. The Scarlet Knights capped off their historic year in post-season play with the No. 7 seed in the 2015 Big Ten Tournament. RU graduates three from this year's squad, returning 15 for the 2016 campaign.
B1G COMPETITION
Competing on the Big Ten stage, Rutgers made a statement right from the start. The Scarlet Knights stepped into conference action with three straight series victories over Purdue, Indiana and Michigan State.
"The team contended well in the conference," said head coach Jay Nelson. "Rutgers softball made some positive history by winning the first game we played in the Big Ten and by winning our first three series against conference opponents. We also had two sweeps of series in conference, one was a three game-set against Michigan State and the other was a mid-week doubleheader with Maryland."
In addition to league opponents, Rutgers competed with top programs throughout its entire 2015 slate, facing three 2015 NCAA Softball Tournament qualifiers in Pittsburgh and Fresno State on the road and the national runner up, Michigan, at home. Overall, four Big Ten teams were selected to the Tournament, as Minnesota, Nebraska and Northwestern joined the Wolverines.
ARRAY OF ACCOLADES
Building on a historic year, numerous Scarlet Knights picked up accolades along the way. Seniors Jackie Bates (Lincroft, N.J.) and Alyssa Landrith (Vacaville, Calif.)were named All-Big Ten Second Team following the season, while classmate Chandler Howard (North Wilmington, Del.) was named the Big Ten Sportsmanship Award honoree.
Additionally, Bates grabbed NFCA All-Region Second Team recognition, while junior Jordan Whitley (Clayton, Del.) joined her teammate with All-Region Third Team honors.
During the season, Rutgers picked up numerous weekly awards. Freshman Rebecca Hall (Fairfax, Va.) led the way with Big Ten Freshman of The Week honors, followed by Landrith with Big Ten Pitcher of Week accolades.
ALL-BIG TEN ACADEMIC TEAM
Rutgers softball had a total of six student-athletes named to the All-Big Ten Academic Team -- Elizabeth Adams (Crystal Lake, Ill.), Bates, Stephanie Huang (Paramus, N.J.), Aubrie Levine (Yorba Linda, Calif.), Dresden Maddox (Kennesaw, Ga.) and Whitley.
SENIOR LEGACY
The 2015 senior class left a permanent mark on the program by scribing their names atop the Rutgers records. Classmates Bates, Howard and Landrith graduated as the one of the most memorable group of seniors to wear the Scarlet uniform.
Bates registered one of the most dominant hitting performances in program history this season. Behind a single-season and program-high 22 home runs, Bates claimed possession of the career home run record with a total of 40 long balls. At the conclusion of the regular season, Bates led the conference in homers and slugging percentage (.947). Reminisce more on Bates' dominant career here.
Howard concluded her career ranked atop the Rutgers' charts, using her 57 hits this season to bring her career total to a third-place ranking on the list at 211. Howard also ranks third with career at bats (638) and runs (125), after leading the team with 166 at bats this year. Read more on Howard's tremendous career here.
Landrith shattered the career pitching records, becoming the all-time career wins leader with 67 victories. The lefthander also holds program records for career strikeouts (642) and innings pitched (746.1). Overall, Landrith picked up 15 wins this season, including seven in league action. Reflect more on Landrith's historic career here.
"Each of these three young ladies epitomized the meaning of student-athlete, as all three have graduated in four years," Nelson said. "Chandler and Jackie are going on to graduate school and Alyssa has chosen to join the work force.
"They are also great people and we are all better for knowing them. I am proud that they decided to attend Rutgers and glad that I had the opportunity to be one of their coaches for the past four years. I will look forward to welcoming them back at each and every alumni event."
ON THE RISE
Whitley, the NFCA All-Region Third Team selection, proved to be RU's most consistent hitter throughout the season. The junior registered team-highs in hits (62) and doubles (13), leading the team with a .342 batting average inconference play.
Classmate Huang set the ground work for RU as the leadoff hitter, notching 55 hits and three triples over the course of the season. In conference action, Huang led the team with 28 hits and hit a .341 clip. Melanie Slowinski (Severn, Md.) was a vital source on numerous occasions, most notably recording a tenth-inning homer at Purdue to lift RU to its second series win. Across Big Ten play, she ranked second on the team with four homers and third with 13 RBIs.
In the circle, junior Dresden Maddox and sophomore Shayla Sweeney (Barrington, N.J.) combined for 14 victories, including four in conference action. Behind the plate, Adams stood as a strong factor, catching 31 runners stealing.
FRESHMAN FOUNDATION
The freshman class played a pivotal role in the lineup this season. Hall started 48 games for RU, making an immediate impact in the rotation. After closing tournament play with Big Ten Freshman of the Week honors, Hall maintained her power, notching 24 hits, 14 RBIs, three doubles and three home runs in conference play.
Classmate Sierra Maddox (Kennesaw, Ga.) broke into the lineup after a two-homer outing in midweek action against Villanova, earning the starting role in 13 consecutive games to close out the year. Sierra Maddox racked up a total of five home runs across that span, finishing the year with 25 hits in 76 at bats.
"Both Becca and Sierra are the foundation for the future," said Nelson. "They will be the bridge from this team to the next three years of the program."
OUTLOOK
The 2015 campaign gave Rutgers its first look at new opponents and a new formatted schedule as a member of the Big Ten. The Scarlet Knights accepted the challenge and closed out the year with a winning record amongst other triumphs.
While the Scarlet Knights' run in the conference tournament was halted with a loss in a 5-3 showdown with No. 10 seeded Iowa, RU seized valuable momentum moving forward.
"Overall, it was a good year," said Nelson. "It has given us a taste of the new conference and a new format of play. I see the loss in the conference tournament as a motivating factor for next year and the years beyond."
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 ).
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