Meet the 2020 Softball Recruits

PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Jan. 14, 2019) – Head Rutgers softball coach Kristen Butler has announced her first National Letter of Intent signees set to join the program for the 2019-20 season.

✍ Ashley Hitchcock is officially a Scarlet Knight!

"I chose #RUSB because I believe there are tons of new and exciting opportunities to pursue with my academic and athletic careers." pic.twitter.com/4cIFnCmBR6
— Rutgers Softball (@RUSoftball) December 4, 2018

Ashley Hitchcock

Right-Hand Pitcher | Perrysburg, Ohio | Eastwood HS | Ohio Outlaws

Three-time Pitcher of the Year and three-time All-State Second Team
Already a school record holder with 968 career strikeouts and 75 victories in three seasons, with school season records in strikeouts (368), lowest ERA (0.88), wins (28), RBIs (51), home runs (8) and batting average (.568)
Led Eastwood High School to two straight regional championship runner-up finishes, and three consecutive sectional and district championship seasons
Participates in FFA, church group and People, Inc.
Daughter of Kelly and Bill; Has a brother, Blake
Proudest sports moment was hitting a grand slam to win the semifinals of a regional championships game after pitching 18 strikeouts in the circle
Greatest sports influence is her father, Bill

Butler on Hitchcock: "Ashley adds tremendous depth to the circle with control and a dominant rise ball. She also hits for herself with power, so she'll be a complete softball player utilizing both offense and defense. With a year to play in high school, she's on track to be first or second all-time in the state of Ohio in strikeouts, which is an amazing accomplishment."

Hitchcock on choosing Rutgers: "Here, I believe there are tons of new and exciting opportunities to pursue with my academic and athletic careers."

Payton Lincavage is officially a Scarlet Knight!

"I chose #RUSB because of the reputation and competitive atmosphere that will push me to become the best I can be. I am very excited about the direction of the program and to be able to compete for a Big Ten Championship!" pic.twitter.com/59aFUxrVtX
— Rutgers Softball (@RUSoftball) November 29, 2018

Payton Lincavage

Infield | Parler, Colo. | Legend HS | Corona Angels

First-team All-State and All-Conference at Legend High School in Colorado
Named 2017-18 Legend Female Athlete of the Year
Career .525 hitter with 136 hits, 89 RBIs, 82 runs and 15 home runs
Holds single-season school records for hits, doubles and home runs; and the career record for batting average
Led Legend to back-to-back Colorado 5A state championships and three Continental Conference titles
Also a standout basketball player at Legend, earning Rookie of the Year in 2015 and two All-Conference honorable mention awards
Three-time Academic All-State
Honored at the National Girls and Women in Sports luncheon
Daughter of Melissa and Robert; Has two siblings, Troy and Brady – Troy plays college baseball at Midland Junior College
Proudest sports moment is winning back-to-back state championships
Greatest sports influence is Corona Angels head coach Marty Tyson

Butler on Lincavage: "We're very excited about her stick, and her ability to play anywhere in the infield. She has won state championships and has played for one of the top travel teams in the country, so she's facing the best pitching in the nation every weekend. She's bringing a power bat to our infield."

Lincavage on choosing Rutgers: "I chose the Scarlet Knights because of the reputation and competitive atmosphere that will push me to become the best I can be. I am very excited about the direction of the program and to be able to compete for a Big Ten Championship!"

✍ Formally, a B1G welcome to Jaden Vickers!

"I chose #RUSB because the education is beyond amazing, the networking and opportunity to grow is exactly what I have been looking for, and I am excited to help the softball program be a major competing team in the Big Ten." pic.twitter.com/CetmPzuSxP
— Rutgers Softball (@RUSoftball) December 5, 2018

Jaden Vickers

Left-Hand Pitcher | Crystal River, Fla. | Crystal River HS | Tennessee Fury

First-team All-State, Citrus County Chronicle Softball Player of the Year and Readers Choice Female Athlete of the Year in 2018
Three-time All-County pitcher
Career 1.36 ERA with 535 strikeouts through three seasons
A three-sport athlete in high school, also competing in basketball and golf
Participates in Interact Club, Student Government, Blue Sea, FCA and Key Club
Daughter of Jenee and Michael; Relative Terrell Lewis played linebacker for Georgia Tech football
Plans on majoring in sports management
Proudest sports moments are striking out the OC Batbusters-Stith, being a force on the Crystal River high school team, making the regional championship game, and earning a No. 4 national ranking with the Tennessee Fury Platinum travel team

Butler on Vickers: "She will add a great dynamic pitching from the left side. She throws around 65 MPH and has played for a Top 5 program in the country with the Fury. She is a highly recruited talent and we're extremely fortunate to have her join the program. She'll be competing for a starting job as soon as she gets on campus."

Vickers on choosing Rutgers: "I chose to play for Coach Butler's program because the education is beyond amazing, the networking and opportunity to grow is exactly what I have been looking for, and I am excited to help the softball team be a major competitor in the Big Ten."

Let's make it official. Welcome To the Banks, Courtney Wilde!

"I chose #RUSB because of the amazing coaching staff and the opportunity to compete in the Big Ten. I am a Jersey Girl and the idea of representing my State University is a dream come true!" pic.twitter.com/KlgjXLhhm6
— Rutgers Softball (@RUSoftball) November 30, 2018

Courtney Wilde

Outfield | Nutley, N.J. | Nutley HS | NJ Intensity

A First Team All-League player in basketball and softball at Nutley
Led New Jersey Intensity to Top 15 finish out of 280 teams at the PGF Tournament in California
Named to High Honor Roll at Nutley
Also competed in soccer, cross country, volleyball in high school
Participated in United Sports with Special Olympics
Daughter of Mary and Bill; Father, Bill, played quarterback at Elizabeth City State University
Greatest sports influence is her father, Bill

Butler on Wilde: "Courtney brings an impressive stick, a great arm and standout speed to the outfield. We are very excited about her and her power, and excited to get a New Jersey kid, one of the top talents in the state, to stay home and play for the Scarlet Knights."

Wilde on choosing Rutgers: ""I chose Rutgers because of the amazing coaching staff and the opportunity to compete in the Big Ten. I am a Jersey Girl and the idea of representing my State University is a dream come true!"

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). For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.
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Schedule

Ashley Hitchcock

Payton Lincavage

Jaden Vickers

Courtney Wilde

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