Rutgers
20-36, 0
Indiana
11-32, 0
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rutgers | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 1 |
| Maryland | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 1 |
Softball Opens Series with 8-3 Victory Over Indiana
Apr 22 | Softball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (April 22, 2016) - Behind three hits and four RBIs for senior Jordan Whitley (Clayton, Del.), Rutgers softball defeated Indiana, 8-3, in the series opener on Friday at the RU Softball Complex.
Rutgers improved to an overall mark of 21-26 and a Big Ten record of 5-10, while Indiana dropped to 24-20 overall and 6-9 in league action.
Junior Shayla Sweeney (Barrington, N.J.) (7-6) entered in the fourth inning, retiring nine consecutive batters across the final three frames to seal the win for Rutgers. Indiana's Tara Trainer suffered the loss to fall to a record of 11-13.
Whitley tied her career-high with three hits, while resetting a career-best with four RBIs. Sophomore Rebecca Hall (Fairfax, Va.) followed with three RBIs of her own on a home run.
IU was led by Katelynn Conenna with two hits, while Taylor Uden posted a team-best two RBI.
Following two scoreless frames for either side to open the contest, junior Aubrie Levine (Yorba Linda, Calif.) maintained her momentum with a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the third.
The Scarlet Knight offense then added the first runs of the game with two runs on three hits in the bottom half of the frame. After freshman Nicolette Anico (Liberty County, Fla.) added a single and sophomore Meaghan Wells (Piscataway, N.J.) a double, Whitley would send both runners in with a one-out double to give RU a 2-0 lead.
The Hoosiers responded with a three-run rally in the top of the fourth, as Conenna notched a one-out double to send the first run in. Sweeney entered in attempt to stump the rhythm, however, Uden would add a double of her own to send two more runs in, putting Indiana up 3-2.
Rutgers reclaimed its lead with a six-run rally on two hits in the bottom half of the fourth. The Scarlet Knights first used a double steal to knot the score, 3-3, as sophomore Jacqueline Kott (Burlington, N.J.) stole home on the play. After senior Stephanie Huang (Paramus, N.J.) drew a walk to load the bases, Whitley ignited a two-out rally with a two RBI single to put RU in front 5-3.
Hall capped the burst with a three-run home run to left field to push the Scarlet Knight edge to 8-3.
Sweeney backed up the surge by retiring nine consecutive Hoosier batters to the plate across the final three frames to close out the win.
UP NEXT
Rutgers continues its series with Indiana on Saturday with the first pitch set for 1 p.m. ET. Prior to Saturday's contest, the Scarlet Knights will honor their 2016 seniors - Elizabeth Adams, Stephanie Huang, Dresden Maddox, Melanie Slowinski, and Jordan Whitley- in a pregame senior day ceremony.
The Scarlet Knights also welcome back all Rutgers sotball letterwinners for an Alumni BBQ at 12 p.m.
KNIGHT NOTES
- After snapping a six-game losing streak, Rutgers extends win streak to three straight conference victories.
- Jordan Whitley reset her career-high with four RBIs while matching her career-best with three hits.
- Meaghan Wells posted her second career double while also resetting her career-best with two runs in the win.
- Despite allowing a hit after entering in the top of the fourth, Sweeney retired 11 consecutive batters at the plate to seal the win for Rutgers. The junior posted three strikeouts in 3.2 innings of work.
- RU-
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Sweeney, Shayla (6-6)
L: Martin, M. (2-7)
S: Maddox, Dresden (1)
Batting:
2B: Slowinski, Melanie 1
HR: Maddox, Sierra 1
RBI: Slowinski, Melanie 2 ; Maddox, Sierra 1 ; Whitley, Jordan 1 ; Adams, Elizabeth 1
SH: Maddox, Sierra 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Huang, Stephanie 1 ; Hall, Rebecca 2 ; Slowinski, Melanie 1 ; Maddox, Sierra 1 ; Whitley, Jordan 1
SB: Todd, Carly 1
Batting:
HR: Schmeiser,L 1
RBI: Schmeiser,L 2 ; Dillard, K. 1
SH: Calta, S. 1 ; Datil, K. 1
SF: Dillard, K. 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Schmeiser,L 2 ; Schwartz, C. 1
