CHARLESTON, S.C. – Rutgers softball improved to 10-2 on the year on Friday on day one of the Low Country Classic at Patriots Point.

The Scarlet Knights captured a 10-1 victory over Robert Morris in six innings capped by a walk-off three-run home run from Morgan Smith. Smith, would later score two of three runs, in RU's third shutout of the season, a 3-0 win over host College of Charleston.

Rutgers 10, Robert Morris 1 (6)

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• A Morgan Smith walk-off three-run home run led Rutgers to a 10-1 victory over Robert Morris to open up Low Country Classic play on Friday morning. Smith was 2-for-3 in game one with two runs and four RBIs.
• Ryann Orange also blasted her second home run of the year in the sixth ending the game 3-for-3 with three runs.
• Kyleigh Sand's hit steak continued as she went 2-for-3 with two runs and Katie Wingert captured a three-run double.
• Ashley Hitchcock improved to 4-0 on the year striking out three Colonials in three innings inside the circle.

THE RUNDOWN

• Robert Morris scored first in the top of the third. Kinsey Ventura led off the inning with a single to third base and advanced on a wild pitch and fielder's choice. A Meadow Sacadura single to right with two outs brought the Colonial home for the 1-0 lead.
• Rutgers, however, tied the game up on their next trip to the plate. Ryann Orange led off with the first of her three on a single to center. The Scarlet Knight rookie advanced to second of the sac bunt by Kyleigh Sand and stole third. Leilani Chavez was able to bring her home on a chopper to second base.
• The Scarlet Knights broke open the game in the bottom of the fifth scoring five runs off five hits for a 6-1 margin. The bases were loaded for Morgan Smith to walk in Maddie Lawson for the first run, Katie
• Wingert cleared the bases for a three-run double into the gap to left-center and Lauren Punk pinch hit adding another run on a double.
• RU ended the game in the sixth off a pair of home runs. Orange collected her second of the year leading off with a solo shot to left. Smith then closed out the game by smacking the ball over the fence in the same direction for three runs.

KNIGHT NOTES

• It was the first game of the season with two Scarlet Knight dingers. Ryann Orange posted her second of the year, while Morgan Smith's was her first in a Scarlet Knight uniform and the third of her career.
• Both Morgan and Orange registered their fourth multiple RBI contest of 2023.
• Kyleigh Sand's hit streak extended to 19 games and her on-base streak reached in 47-straight games. It was her eighth multiple-hit game of the season.

Rutgers 3, College of Charleston 0

STATISTICALLY SPEAKING

• Raimy Gamsby upped her mark to 3-0 on the year throwing her first complete game. The rookie struck out seven Cougars to tie her season high allowing only two hits in the game's first inning.
• Payton Lincavage was 2-for-3 with a double and run scored while Morgan Smith was responsible for two of RU's three runs.

THE RUNDOWN

• Rutgers scored its first run in the top of the fourth. Morgan Smith reached on a fielder's choice, advanced on a single from Katie Wingert and got to third tagging up after Ryann Orange's fly out to left. With two outs, Smith stole home giving RU a 1-0 lead.
• Kiersten Withstandley gave Rutgers some insurance in the fifth with an infield RBI single to the pitcher. The hit scored Payton Lincavage who kicked off the bottom of the fifth with a double to left.
• Ryann Orange added to her RBI total on the day in the sixth as Morgan Smith flew from second off her teammate's base hit to left for a 3-0 Rutgers edge.

KNIGHT NOTES

• The shutout marked the third of the year. Rutgers also picked up an 8-0 victory over Utah Valley and a 2-0 win at Sacramento State during opening weekend.
• Raimy Gamsby tied her career mark with seven strikeouts. She also threw for seven Ks in three innings in the 16-1 victory over Mississippi Valley State last weekend.
• Kyleigh Sand's hit streak came to an end against the Cougars halting at 19. Her on-base streak continues at 48 straight.

UP NEXT

The Low Country Classic continues Saturday with Rutgers taking on Syracuse at 10 a.m. and meeting up with the College of Charleston at 3 p.m.

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