Softball 2017 Season Outlook
Feb 06 | Softball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - With a mixed roster of veterans and fresh talent in addition to a new state-of-the art indoor practice facility, the Rutgers softball team is poised to take on its 2017 campaign starting on Friday, Feb. 10 at the Felsberg Invitational hosted at FIU.
The Scarlet Knights finished the 2016 season with a 24-33 record and a mark of 8-15 in Big Ten play, concluding with their third consecutive appearance in their respective conference tournament and second since joining the Big Ten. Despite the graduation of six starters last season, this year's roster boasts 13 letterwinners from that squad, including nine returning starters and five newcomers.
Entering his 11th season at the helm, head coach Jay Nelson caught up with ScarletKnights.com to preview the season.
"I'm excited for a new beginning! Every year is a new beginning and every team begins in exactly the same place: 0-0. Most fans measure their team by record, championships won and RPI achieved. However, I have a slightly different take on team success. I like to measure my teams by how much they improve over a season," said Nelson.
"We are in the education business so to me the lessons learned in a season are as important to where you finish. Our goal is to improve both athletically and academically. I want to see our athletes compete for our conference championship and steadily improve their grades and knowledge in the classroom so they can take joy from competing and continue a life-long education and career in the field they chose."
SCHEDULE
The 56-game campaign includes six tournaments, three midweek nonconference matchups and eight Big Ten series. Opponents consist of nine 2016 NCAA qualifiers highlighted by conference foe Michigan, which advanced to the Women's College World Series for the second consecutive season. The Wolverines also secured the outright 2016 Big Ten Championship for the ninth straight year.
Four additional conference champions will cross paths with RU, including LIU-Brooklyn (NEC Champions), Fordham (Atlantic 10 Champions), Florida A&M (MEAC Champions), and North Dakota State (Summit League Champions).
"Being in the Big Ten, it's always a tough schedule. We will play Michigan three times this season and they earned their way to the Women's College World Series last year and were runners up the year before," said Nelson. "Overall, we will play 11 games against teams that finished 2016 with an RPI in the top 50, including four that finished in the top 10."
RU opens the season with 38 consecutive games on the road, before hosting its first home series against Nebraska from April 7-9.
For a full rundown on the schedule, click here.
FRED HILL TRAINING COMPLEX
On January 31, Rutgers baseball and softball officially unveiled the Fred Hill Training Complex. Spanning 22,500 square feet, the facility is equipped with state-of-the-art pitching machines, batting cages, bullpen mounds and a full turf infield. It was funded by nearly 100 generous donors to cover a cost of over $3 million. The facility serves the needs of the baseball and softball programs, allowing the teams to have a dedicated home for workouts and practices.
"It makes all the difference in the world to our athletes. Our practice time is more reasonable. Having a consistent schedule is much less stressful on the athletes because they can plan their days for the week and weeks ahead and rest assured that they would not have to change their plans due to changing practice times," said Nelson.
"Additionally, the versatility of the space is fantastic. There are six nets we can raise and lower to configure different areas of the space to accomplish separate practice areas for different purposes. The added benefit is it is much safer due to all the protective netting installed throughout. It is a great facility and will aid us in the recruiting process."
PITCHERS
Returning for her senior campaign, right hander Shayla Sweeney will lead the way in the circle after posting nine wins and three saves a year ago. Also returning to their roles in the circle will be senior Aubrie Levine and sophomore Whitney Jones. Newcomer Cambria Keefer joins the ranks of the pitching staff.
"I expect Shayla to be a team leader. She is the pitcher with the most experience on our staff. And every year she has taken on an important role for the team," said Nelson. "In addition to returners Aubrie and Whitney who each have proved they are up to the challenge, Cambria Keefer is a talented freshman pitcher that will have the chance to compete for a starting role in this year's line up."
CATCHERS
Filling the role at catcher this season will be junior Sierra Maddox, who started 41 of 51 games a year ago, including nine behind the plate. Maddox contributed a total of 31 hits, including a team-best nine home runs. Senior Dana Hendry and sophomore Allie Yoffee bring additional familiarity to the role. Hendry posted two starts at catcher a year ago, while Yoffee made a statement as a rookie with her first two collegiate hits being home runs.
"When it comes to the catching position, Elizabath Adams caught most of the games last year. Between all three of the other catchers - Sierra, Allie and Dana - they caught a combined 11 nonconference games." said Nelson. "Overall, Sierra Maddox has the most experience of any of our catchers and at the plate she was second on the team with 26 RBIs last season."
INFIELD
Junior first baseman Rebecca Hall guides the Scarlet Knights at the plate after posting a .279 batting average to go with 48 hits, 12 doubles and 25 RBIs. Filling the void due to graduation of starters at the three remaining infield positions, RU looks to the veterans of senior Bridget Carr and junior Meaghan Wells, while adding fresh talent in freshmen Anyssa Iliopoulos, Nicole Bowman and Taryn Atlee.
"This year we have a host of rookies in the infield. We lost three starting infielders to graduation so rookies or athletes that are new to the position will fill the positions of third, shortstop and second base. At first base, we have two returning upper class athletes, including Bridget Carr who can play either first or third and Rebecca Hall who was our fourth leading hitter on the team last year, said Nelson.
"Over at shortstop we have freshmen Anyssa Iliopoulos and Nicole Bowman, Anyssa had a great fall and batted over .400 in our short season. Both Anyssa and Nicole have the power to drive the ball in the gaps and occasionally over the fence. Meaghan fills out our infield squad starting at third base."
OUTFIELD
Leading the experienced outfield is senior Carly Todd, who started all 57 games in the outfield last season and racked up 34 hits, four doubles and 24 runs. Sophomores Nicolette Anico and Adriana Burcar return to the outfield after starting in 40 and 36 games, respectively, last season. Junior Jacqueline Kott and freshman Hailey Hoklotubbe add a combination of experience and skill to the position.
"There will be a lot of competition in the outfield this year. There are five athletes for three positions and each one has the potential to earn a starting role," said Nelson. "Carly Todd is our most experienced outfielder with good speed and a good arm. Adriana Burcar was our starting centerfielder last year and Nikki Anico did not commit an error as a freshman. Jacqueline Kott has seen time in the outfield and as a pinch runner, while Hailey Hoklotubbe is a promising freshman."
OUTLOOK
The Scarlet Knights look to take on a strong slate with their dynamic mix of veterans and newcomers out on the field.
"My expectations are always to be as competitive as possible and to compete for the conference championship. We have a mixture of veterans and rookies," said Nelson. "This year the difference is that we will be relying on rookies to step in right away and produce. The key to our success with be learning how to play together and building trust in each other. If we can do those two things, we will have success."
RU opens its season on Friday, Feb. 10 at the Felsberg Invitational hosted by FIU.
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