FULLERTON, Calif. (Feb. 10, 2018) – Rutgers softball picked up its first win of the season, 7-0, over Middle Tennessee on Saturday behind a complete game shutout from junior pitcher Whitney Jones before falling to Pittsburgh, 6-2, on Day 2 of the Titan Classic at Cal State Fullerton.
 
The Scarlet Knights (1-3) have now homered in three straight games. Senior catcher Sierra Maddox smashed her 19^th career home run in the victory over MTSU. Sophomore Nicole Bowman rocked a pinch-hit solo shot over the fence against Pitt to mark Rutgers' second pinch-hit homer in as many days following Erin Collins' grand slam from Day 1.
 
Maddox's solo home run against Middle Tennessee (0-3) was one of two RBIs in the win, combining with two RBIs from sophomore third baseman Anyssa Iliopoulos, a run-scoring groundout by freshman second baseman Myah Moy, and an RBI double off the bat of senior first baseman Rebecca Hall.
 
That was more than enough run support for Jones, who notched the second complete game shutout of her career behind seven scoreless innings of five-hit ball with no walks and four strikeouts. Jones was in shutdown mentality throughout a brilliant start, allowing just one extra base hit, retiring 6-of-7 leadoff batters, and holding the Blue Raiders to a 1-for-9 mark with runners on base throughout the game.
 
In Game 2, Rutgers trailed early as the Panthers (3-0) took a 3-0 lead on a run-scoring wild pitch and a two-run home run. In the fifth inning and down 4-0 now, Bowman pinch-hit to lead off the frame and delivered her fourth career home run to put RU on the board and spark a productive inning. Hall drew a two-out walk, and ended up crossing the plate on Maddox's ensuing double with the aid of a Pitt miscue in left field. The 4-2 score would be as close as Rutgers would get, however.
 
KNIGHT NOTES

• Myah Moy has now hit in three straight games, and recorded her first collegiate RBI on Saturday.
• Erin Collins began her collegiate career at the plate with a two-out pinch-hit grand slam and a double off the outfield fence in her first two at-bats. She has also hit safely in three straight games.
• Rutgers recorded its first three stolen bases of the season with Moy and Iliopoulos swiping bags against MTSU and Collins stealing one against Pitt.
• Rutgers pinch-hitters are 2-for-3 on the year, while opponents' pinch-hitters are 0-for-2.
• The Scarlet Knights moved to 2-0 all-time against the Blue Raiders.
• Pittsburgh improves to 21-13 all-time against Rutgers and have won seven of the last eight.

 
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 (facebook.com/RutgersSB).