PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The 2023 Rutgers softball schedule was unveiled featuring 18 home dates, including the annual Rutgers Tournament, and five nonconference tournament weekends with trips to California, South Alabama, South Carolina, Texas and Florida. The Scarlet Knight slate also features two NCAA Women's World Series opponents and a 23-game, eight-team Big Ten schedule.

"We're eager to take the field this season," said head coach Kristen Butler who enters her fifth season "On The Banks". "Our roster features experienced veterans and newcomers that will factor into our line-up immediately. The fall schedule gave this group the chance to come together and continue to develop as a team and we're excited about how we can demonstrate our growth and skill in the spring season. The schedule we have put together not only gives our team a wide array of challenges but also gives members of the team opportunities to play close to family and friends throughout the country. The nonconference schedule will help prepare us for Big Ten play and beyond. The season is right around the corner and we are excited to get underway."

NONCONFERENCE SCHEDULE

The first 27 games of the 2023 season will be on the road in nonconference play before hosting the Rutgers Tournament to conclude nonconference tournament action.

The year kicks off at Sacramento State on February 10-12 with NorCal Kickoff featuring the host Hornets, UC Davis, Utah Valley, Pacific and Seattle U among this year's participants. The Scarlet Knights will follow with a trip to South Alabama on February 17-18 to face the host Jaguars along with MVC Champions Missouri State and Mississippi Valley. The February slate continues at the College of Charleston on February 24-26 with the host Cougars and Robert Morris and Syracuse.

March gets underway at Texas Tech on March 3-5 and games with the host Red Raiders, North Dakota and Seton Hall. and at the University of Florida on March 10-12.  While in Gainesville, the Scarlet Knights will take on the host Gators, a 2022 NCAA Women's World Series participant, along with a pair of games Sun Belt Champion and NCAA Clemson Regional member Louisiana-Lafayette and Mercer. Rutgers will also play at UCF for a midweek clash in Orlando on March 14 before returning home to host its annual tournament. 

The Rutgers Tournament at the RU Softball Complex will feature 11 games between March 17-19 with the Scarlet Knights welcoming Holy Cross, Iona, UMass-Lowell and St. Peter's to its home turf. 

The nonconference schedule also features a pair of midweek contests with Monmouth. Rutgers travels to West Long Branch on Wednesday, April 11 and will host the Hawks on Tuesday, April 18.

BIG TEN SCHEDULE

Scarlet Knight softball will take on eight teams in the league hosting Purdue, Maryland, Indiana and Northwestern at the Rutgers Softball Complex while hitting the road for series at Illinois, Ohio State, Penn State and Iowa this season.

The Big Ten sent a total of eight teams to the postseason last season with seven squads to the NCAA Tournament along with RU's appearance at the National Invitational Softball Championship. Among last year's Big Ten NCAA Tournament teams, Illinois, Ohio State and Northwestern are featured on this year's slate. The Wildcats, who Rutgers will host the final weekend of the regular season, advanced to the 2022 Women's College World Series. 

Rutgers' Big Ten schedule starts the weekend of March 24 at Illinois. The first Big Ten home dates include Purdue the weekend of March 31 and a midweek clash with Maryland on April 4 or 5. The Scarlet Knights head back on the road traveling to Ohio State the weekend of April 7 and Penn State on the weekend of April 14. The schedule continues with a home weekend series with Indiana starting on April 21. The month concludes at Iowa the weekend of April 28 and while the regular season Big Ten schedule comes to a close at the RU Softball Complex against Northwestern the weekend of May 5.

The 2023 Big Ten Tournament will be held on May 10-13 in Champaign, Illinois. 

All home Big Ten Conferences games at the Rutgers Softball Complex will be held at 3 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays with Sunday games beginning at 1 p.m.

Conference Opponent Notes:
Illinois: 34-22 overall, 15-7 Big Ten, NCAA Columbia Regional
Indiana: 27-22 overall, 11-7 Big Ten
Iowa: 21-31 overall, 3-20 Big Ten
Maryland: 29-23 overall, 14-7 Big Ten
Northwestern: 45-13 overall, 19-4 Big Ten, NCAA Evanston Regional Champion, 
Ohio State: 36-17 overall, 13-9 Big Ten
Penn State: 32-22 overall, 13-10 Big Ten
Purdue: 24-31 overall, 7-15 Big Ten, NCAA Knoxville Regional

ABOUT THE SCARLET KNIGHTS

Rutgers softball made its second appearance in the National Invitational Softball Championship after recording its best start in 41 seasons a year ago. 
 
The Scarlet Knights return 20 letterwinners and welcome six newcomers "To The Banks". Rutgers had two Scarlet Knights named First Team All-Big Ten for the first time in program history last year, including returning junior shortstop Kyleigh Sand. Sand hit a team-best .398 with 68 hits, 48 runs, 12 doubles and 23 RBIs along with 23 stolen bases. The Scarlet Knights also welcome back 2019 NFCA All-Region pick in redshirt senior catcher Katie Wingert, who begins the year tied for fifth on RU's all-time home run leaders list.  
 
As a team, Rutgers finished the 2022 campaign with the most strikeouts in history (305), fifth in doubles (73), eighth in runs (238) and ninth in RBIs (212). Pitchers Ashley Hitchcock and Jaden Vickers will be looking to climb the career strikeout leaders list. Hitchcock ranks sixth all-time with 269 career strikeouts with Vickers right behind in seventh with 267 career K's. Also looking to move up the career charts is senior third baseman Payton Lincavage who kicks off the year tied for eighth on the RU all-time triples leaders list.
 
Admission to all Rutgers home games at the RU Softball Complex is free.
 


 
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