PISCATAWAY, N.J. (March 11, 2019) – Rutgers softball head coach Kristen Butler announced the signing of New Jersey native, Zoe Rodriguez, to a National Letter of Intent to join the Scarlet Knights for the 2020 season.
 
Hailing from Lumberton, New Jersey, Rodriguez is a standout middle infielder for Rancocas Valley Regional High School, as well as a five-time state champion playing for the South Jersey Mystics Gold and Central Jersey A's club teams.
 
"Zoe is a legitimately talented shortstop with elite defensive abilities," Butler said. "She's someone that can step in and compete right away on our 2020 roster. It's a great lift for our program that one of the best fielding shortstops in the nation chose to stay home and play for her State University."
 
Rodriguez was named the Most Valuable Player at a number of prestigious national tournaments playing travel ball at elite levels. She most recently earned MVP and Defensive MVP honors at the United States Specialty Sports Association (USSSA) National Championships, and added MVP awards at a previous USSSA Nationals and the PONY National Championships.
 
She helped lead the South Jersey Mystics to three straight state titles after winning two state championships with the Central Jersey A's.
 
"I chose Rutgers because I come from a long line of Rutgers alumni and I am excited to obtain a world-class education from Rutgers," Rodriguez said. "As a bonus, I am given the opportunity to play softball with a great team and terrific coaching staff."
 
Rodriguez has been acclimating to the college level by playing in a U23 league this past summer. She was recently invited to play for the American International Sports Teams (AIST) travel program this summer before heading to Rutgers for her freshman year.
 
Rodriguez joins incoming transfer Gabrielle Callaway, and incoming freshmen Ashley Hitchcock, Payton Lincavage, Jaden Vickers and Courtney Wilde as Butler's first recruiting class set to take the field in 2020.
 
 
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