2016 Softball Season Recap
Jun 13 | Softball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. (June 13, 2016) - Adding another chapter to the history books, the Rutgers softball team culminated a commanding 2016 season with its second straight trip to the Big Ten Softball Tournament. Guided by a veteran infield, the Scarlet Knights battled through a campaign riddled with 12 NCAA qualifiers and seven ranked opponents in its second year in the Big Ten.
Following the season, 10th-year head coach Jay Nelson caught up with ScarletKnights.com to reflect on the season and give a glimpse into the strides the program continues to make.
"We are glad to be in the Big Ten," said Nelson. "It has upped our game. We continue to improve every year and I am glad to see we have made the Big Ten Tournament the last two years.
"The Scarlet Knight softball team is in the process of building a championship team. This year was a success in that we earned a spot in the Big Ten Conference Tournament for the second year in a row, in spite of numerous challenges. Give credit to a veteran team that knew what it had to do to succeed."
QUICK HITS
RU concluded the 2016 season with an overall record of 24-32 and a Big Ten mark of 8-15. It marked the third consecutive year the Scarlet Knights have punched a ticket to its respective conference tournament.
The Scarlet Knights produced an NFCA All-Region selection in senior Stephanie Huang (Paramus, N.J.), who led the stat sheet in batting average (.359), hits (65), walks (29), runs (37) and at bats (181).
Additionally, senior Jordan Whitley (Clayton, Del.) led RU in conference play with a .318 batting average and 21 hits. Sophomore Sierra Maddox (Kennesaw, Ga.) tied for fifth on Rutgers all-time single-season records with nine homers, six of which came in conference action to finish the year ranked seventh on the league charts.
In the circle, senior Dresden Maddox (Kennsesaw, Ga.) led the crew with 134.1 innings pitched, registering nine victories on the year and her first two career saves. Junior Shayla Sweeney (Barrington, N.J.) followed with 102.1 innings and a win-loss record of 9-6. Sweeney's three saves tied for first on the all-time single-season chart.
Off the field, RU saw 11 Scarlet Knights earn a spot on the 2016 Academic All-Big Ten list.
GRUELING SLATE
The Scarlet Knights trekked through a grueling slate in 2016, finishing the regular season with the 44th strongest strength of schedule in the nation. RU played a total of 24 contests against 12 NCAA qualifying teams, while facing seven ranked opponents along the way.
Highlighting the slate were then-No. 2 Michigan, the 2016 Big Ten regular season champions, and then-No. 5 Alabama, as both advanced to the NCAA Women's College World Series. RU also hosted the 2016 Big Ten Softball Tournament Champion and NCAA qualifier, then-No. 21 Minnesota.
"If you want to be the best you have to play the best. Playing the best raises the level of your game. Top level softball is played at a quicker pace and the execution of every aspect of the game is much more consistent. When you play great competition you learn how to pitch to great hitters and how to hit great pitching," said Nelson.
With a heavy schedule, the Scarlet Knights have been battle tested in physical feats as well as mental prowess, both of which are needed in the journey to becoming the best.
"This year our athletes learned they can play at this level," said Nelson. "We had some success against a number of teams that earned their way to the NCAA Tournament. The next step is earning our way into the tournament."
ACCOLADES FOR HUANG
Stephanie Huang highlighted the roster for Rutgers, earning 2016 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division I All-Great Lakes Region Second Team accolades at second base.
"Stephanie is a very talented and gifted athlete that earned a spot on the All-Region team. She worked every day at getting better," said Nelson. "Anyone that earns a spot on the All-Region team works at keeping themselves in top shape and staying mentally sharp to compete. Stephanie mastered all of these skills in her senior year and I am extremely proud of her accomplishment."
Huang started all 57 games at second base, maintaining a .359 batting average as the leadoff hitter and a .448 on base percentage. The Paramus, N.J., native led the Scarlet Knight stat sheet in hits (65), walks (29), runs (37) and at bats (181). Huang added her name to the Rutgers all-time single season charts, ranking second with her 65 hits. Overall, Huang posted a team-best 18 multiple hit games, including six with three or more hits, as well as five multiple RBI games.
Huang also added a Big Ten Player of the Week and the Big Ten Sportsmanship award to her resume this season.
OFF THE FIELD
Rutgers saw eleven Scarlet Knights named Spring 2016 Academic All-Big Ten, including Elizabeth Adams, Bridget Carr, Stephanie Huang, Jacqueline Kott, Aubrie Levine, Dresden Maddox, Sierra Maddox, Melanie Slowinski, Shayla Sweeney, Meaghan Wells and Jordan Whitley.
To be eligible for Academic All-Big Ten selection, student-athletes must be letterwinners who are in at least their second academic year at their institution and carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.0 or higher.
"We had a banner academic year, especially in the spring," said Nelson. "The student-athletes and the coaching staff stress that education is the key to our athletes' futures, in conjunction with academic advising there is a coordinated effort to maximize their educational opportunities. With this being said it is the concerted effort our athletes' exhibit that earns them their exemplary grades."
THANK YOU SENIORS
Rutgers graduated five seniors in Elizabeth Adams, Stephanie Huang, Dresden Maddox, Melanie Slowinski and Jordan Whitley.
"You can't replace them," said Nelson." We had five seniors that helped lead the team the past two years. Last year we only had three seniors and that group got a hand from this class. This class anchored our infield. We had a pitcher, catcher, third baseman, shortshop and second baseman. I hope next year's seniors have picked up what these seniors have done."
To see the 2016 senior class reflections, click here.
OUTLOOK
Rutgers continues to make strides towards success on the field by stepping up to the plate against the best opponents in the nation. The Scarlet Knights ended the season battle tested amongst the nation's top programs and have gained valuable motivation and mentality for the years ahead.
"The most important aspect of the development of our underclass athletes is that they were not fazed by playing top competition," said Nelson. "They also adapted very well to being away from home and on their own for the first time in their lives. I am pleased to say they are all doing well academically and they are all very coachable, which is the key to becoming a great athlete at this level."
In addition to improved skill set and strong mentality, Rutgers looks forward to improved facilities to aid in the continuous training process. Construction on the Fred Hill Baseball and Softball training complex is underway.
"I am really excited that we will have an indoor facility to call our own," said Nelson. "This will allow us to better plan our practice time around our athlete's schedules. We will always have a place to hit and field to get ready for our season."
With great optimism in the direction the program is heading, Rutgers softball is poised for continued growth on the softball field and in the classroom.
Follow Rutgers Softball on Twitter (@RUSoftball) and Instagram (@RU_Softball for all of the latest news and updates. The team is also on Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersSB). For all Rutgers Athletics news follow us on Twitter (@RUAthletics), Instagram (@RUAthletics), Snapchat (@RUAthletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/RutgersAthletics).
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