Friday, February 10
Sacramento, Calif.
12:30 PM
Rutgers University
vs
Utah Valley
Photo by: Ethan Mito
Softball Opens 2023 Campaign At NorCal Kickoff
Feb 09 | Softball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - The Rutgers softball team kicks off the 2023 season this weekend at the NorCal Kickoff hosted by Sacramento State and UC Davis. The round-robin tournament will have the Scarlet Knights taking on the host Hornets and Aggies along with Utah Valley, Santa Clara and Seattle
Head Coach: Cody Thompson - 24-27 overall (second season)/24-27 at Utah Valley (second season)
2022 Record: 24-27
2022 WAC Record: 12-12
All-Time Series: First Meeting
Returning Wolverines:
Batting
Head Coach: Gina Carbonatto (Pacific '07) - 37-66 overall (4th season)/37-66 at Santa Clara (4th season
2022 Record: 21-30
2022 WCC: 7-8
All-Time Series: First Meeting
Returning Broncos:
Batting
Head Coach: Geoff Hirai (Hawaii Hilo '88) - 183-165 overall (7th season)/183-165 at Seattle (7th season)
2022 Record: 32-24
2022 WAC Record: 15-9
All-Time Series: First Meeting
Returning Redhawks:
Batting
Head Coach: Erin Thorpe (UC San Diego '00) - 403-492-1 overall (19th season)/179-201 at UC Davis (8th season)
2022 Record: 23-29
2022 Big West Record: 10-14
All-Time Series: First Meeting
Returning Aggies:
Batting
Head Coach: Lori Perez (Sacramento St. '02) - 223-205-2 overall (9th season)/223-205-2 at Sacramento St. (9th season)
2022 Record: 30-25
2022 Big Sky Record: 12-6
All-Time Series: Rutgers Trails 0-1
Last Meeting: March 8, 2013 - L, 1-4
Returning Hornets:
Batting
The Rutgers softball team travels to the Mardi Gras Classic in Mobile, Alabama. The Scarlet Knights will face host South Alabama along with Missouri State and Mississippi Valley.
Follow Rutgers softball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
| TOURNAMENT INFO |
| Tournament: | NorCal Kickoff Shea Stadium | Sacramento, Calif. & La Rue Field | Davis, Calif. |
| Game Notes: | Rutgers | Utah Valley | Santa Clara | Seattle | UC Davis | Sacramento St. |
| Statistics: | Rutgers | Utah Valley | Santa Clara | Seattle | UC Davis | Sacramento St. | Big Ten |
| Live Stats & Video: |
Friday, Feb. 10 Shea Stadium | Sacramento, Calif. 12:30 p.m. - Rutgers vs. Utah Valley - Stats 3:00 p.m. - Rutgers vs. Santa Clara - Stats Saturday, Feb. 11 La Rue Field | Davis, Calif. 12:30 p.m. - Rutgers vs. Seattle - Stats 3:00 p.m. - Rutgers at UC Davis - Stats Sunday, Feb. 12 Shea Stadium | Sacramento, Calif. 12:30 p.m. - Rutgers at Sacramento State - Stats | Video (ESPN +) * - All times listed ET |
| Social Media: | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram |
| ABOUT THE SCARLET KNIGHTS |
- The Scarlet Knights welcome back 20 letterwinners and all but one starter from last year's that had its best nonconference record in since 1981 and made its second National Invitational Softball Championship (NISC) appearance.
- Rutgers returns one of its two first-ever First Team All-Big Ten honorees. Junior shortstop Kyleigh Sand. Also a First Team All-Region selection and a Big Ten Player of the Week, Sand finished the season second in hits (68), third in runs (49), fourth in walks (33), tied for fifth in stolen bases (23) and sixth in batting average (.398) on the all-time single=season leaders list.
- A defensive stalwart at the corner, third baseman Payton Lincavage is also one of the top returning members of the lineup. A year ago, she hit .288 leading the squad with 47 hits, including seven doubles, a team-leading four triples and five home runs. She added 22 RBIs and 39 runs. She entered the year tied for eighth all-time in triples with eight entering her fourth season "On The Banks".
- Sophomore Maddie Lawson helped RU to its most Big Ten weekly honors last season as the second baseman earned two Big Ten Rookie of the Week distinctions. Lawson helped Rutgers to a 5-0 weekend at the Pirate Clash hitting .500 with three multiple-hit games along with six RBIs and two runs scored. The following week she picked up the honor batting .353 in a 4-1 weekend at The Spring Games with three RBIs and three runs along with eight putouts and five assists to become the first Scarlet Knight to win more than one Big Ten weekly award.
- Catcher Katie Wingert is also back to provide power at the plate as one of the top home run hitters at Rutgers. The redshirt senior had a phenomenal freshman campaign that saw the Scarlet Knight pick up Second Team All-Big Ten, All-Big Ten Freshman Team, First Team All-ECAC and Second Team NFCA All-Region honors after blasting 18 home runs - including three extra-inning walkoffs. Wingert enters this season tied for fifth all-time in home runs with 23 career dingers.
- The infield also welcomes back Megan Herka, Kiersten Withstandley and Lauren Punk, who all saw time at first base along with Taylor Lane at second. Herka also provided power at designated player, while Withstandley added a trio of doubles, 11 runs and nine RBIs. Punk, who also saw starts at second base, connected for a home run and triple in her first plate appearance last season in Mexico. Lane provided two hits, a home run two runs and two RBIs in the three-game Big Ten series with Illinois. Depth and speed is added with Mya Mancini while Gillian Walsh adds an option behind the plate.
- RU also return plenty of outfield talent in Taylor Fawcett, Kobie Hura, Leilani Chavez and Kayla Bock. Fawcett hit .277 in the middle of the lineup and tied for the team lead in doubles last season collecting 12 along with belting out four home runs and collecting 18 runs and 26 RBIs. Hura went yard twice in the Big Ten series with Minnesota and registered 15 runs. Bock and Chavez also saw time as the designated player in addition to duties in the outfield. Bock hit .284 blasting four home runs and six doubles while amassing 20 RBIs. Fellow Scarlet Knights bolstering returning outfield experience include Courtney Wilde and Lily Orozco.
- Rutgers returns the core of last year's pitching staff. Graduate student Jaden Vickers tossed 181 strikeouts in 174.1 innings of work. She collected 14 victories, 13 complete games and three shutouts including a no-hitter against UMES. Senior Ashley Hitchcock sent down 120 opponent batters on strikes in her 154.2 inning of work. She picked up 11 victories, 13 complete games, a pair of saves and three shutouts. Georgia Ingle also provided support with 17 appearances inside the circle. Also watch for Hitchcock and Ingle to assist in the line-up.
- LSU transfer Morgan Smith strengthens the lineup with SEC experience. The junior batted .303 for the Tigers last season, while as a freshman in 2021 posted a 3.11 ERA with a pair of victories. Prior to arriving at the collegiate ranks she was ranked No. 28 by FloSoftball and No. 62 by Extra Inning Softball, and a First Team Extra Inning Softball All-American and Arizona Gatorade Player of the Year nominee. Over the summer she was named to the Florida Gulf Coast League All-Star Game.
- Additional newcomers include pitchers Raimy Gamsby and Ryann Orange, utility Calista Colins and infielder Bailey Briggs adding strength, speed and depth to the Scarlet Knights.
| ABOUT UTAH VALLEY |
2022 Record: 24-27
2022 WAC Record: 12-12
All-Time Series: First Meeting
Returning Wolverines:
Batting
- Kalena Shepherd - .324 BA, 21 runs, 46 hits, 11 doubles, 7 HRs, 45 RBIs
- Laynee Betancur - .284 BA, 20 runs, 31 hits, 2 doubles, 1 triple, 11 RBIs
- Megan Gibbs - .280, 34 runs, 37 shits, 7 doubles, 9 HRs, 27 RBIs
- Brooke Saili - 12-11 W-L, 5.15 ERA, 10 CG, 133.1 IP, 129 Ks
- Katie Zuniga - 11-11 W-L, 5.62 ERA, 10 CG, 1 save, 132.0 IP, 69 Ks
| ABOUT SANTA CLARA |
2022 Record: 21-30
2022 WCC: 7-8
All-Time Series: First Meeting
Returning Broncos:
Batting
- Ashley Trierweiler - .394 BA, 36 runs, 67 hits, 9 doubles, 2 triples, 18 RBIs
- Emma Bickford - .293 BA, 21 runs, 44 hits, 12 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 24 RBIs
- Morgan Salmon - .247 BA, 17 runs, 36 hits, 9 doubles, 2 triples, 2 HR, 24 RBIs
- Hannah Edwards - 8-8 W-L, 2.68 ERA, 6 CG, 107.0 IP, 33 Ks
- Sage Hager - 8-6 W-L, 2.37 ERA, 7 CG, 97.1 IP, 33 Ks
| ABOUT SEATTLE |
2022 Record: 32-24
2022 WAC Record: 15-9
All-Time Series: First Meeting
Returning Redhawks:
Batting
- Madison Kahwaty - .305 BA, 40 runs, 47 hits, 10 doubles, 1 triple 8 HR, 33 RBIs - WAC All-Defensive
- Lily Garcia - .295 BA, 16 runs, 41 hits, 13 doubles, 3 triples, 3 HR, 26 RBIs - WAC All-Defensive
- Tai Wilson - .288 BA, 34 runs, 49 hits, 4 doubles, 4 triples, 7 RBIs
- Stephanie Madrigal - 15-6 W-L, 2.85 ERA, 12 CG, 1 shutout, 1 save, 135.2 IP, 79 Ks - Second Team All-WAC
- Grace Luderer - 7-7 W-L, 4.63 ERA, 8 CG, 1 shutout, 1 save, 105.0 IP, 106 Ks - WAC Freshman of the Year
| ABOUT UC DAVIS |
2022 Record: 23-29
2022 Big West Record: 10-14
All-Time Series: First Meeting
Returning Aggies:
Batting
- Anna Dethlefson - .328 BA, 42 runs, 57 hits, 9 doubles, 1 triple 6 HR, 20 RBIs - Second Team All-Big West
- Delaney Diaz - .272 BA, 9 runs, 37 hits, 4 doubles, 4 HR, 25 RBIs - Honorable Mention All-Big West
- Sommer Kisling - .261 BA, 22 runs, 43 hits, 1 double, 1 triple, 10 RBIs
- Kenedi Brown - 13-18 W-L, 1.73 ERA, 19 CG, 3 shutouts, 3 saves, 190.0 IP, 224 Ks - First Team All-Big West
- Taylor Fitzgerald - 6-7 W-L,3.28 ERA, 4 CG, 1 shutout, 100.1 IP, 47 Ks
| ABOUT SACRAMENTO STATE |
2022 Record: 30-25
2022 Big Sky Record: 12-6
All-Time Series: Rutgers Trails 0-1
Last Meeting: March 8, 2013 - L, 1-4
Returning Hornets:
Batting
- Lewa Day - .359 BA, 40 runs, 56 hits, 9 doubles, 16 HR, 39 RBIs - Second Team All-Pacific Region, First Team All-Big Sky
- Lexie Webb - .337 BA, 27 runs, 57 hits, 6 doubles, 1 triple, 16 HR, 35 RBIs - Third Team All-Pacific Region, Second Team All-Big Sky
- Nikki Barboza - .313 BA, 19 runs, 45 hits, 4 doubles, 3 HRs, 26 RBIs
- Marissa Bertuccio - 21-10 W-L, 2.38 ERA, 21 CG, 8 shutouts, 2 saves, 194.1 IP, 168 Ks - Big Sky Pitcher of the Year, Third-Team All-Pacific Region, First Team All-Big Sky
- Lexi Webb - 5-7 W-L, 4.44 ERA, 3 CG, 71.0 IP, 33 Ks - Third Team All-Pacific Region, Second Team All-Big Sky
| ALL-TIME RUTGERS LEADERS WATCH LISTS |
| All-Time Home Runs | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Jackie Bates (2012-15) | 40 |
| 2. | Brittney Lindley (2009-12) | 34 |
| 3. | Rebecca Hall (2015-18) | 30 |
| 4. | Anyssa Iliopoulos (2017-21) | 26 |
| 5t. | Sierra Maddox (2015-18) | 23 |
| 5t. | Katie Wingert (2019 - present) | 23 |
| 7. | Sarah Kalka (2006-09) | 21 |
| 8. | Nikki Childress (2003-04) | 20 |
| 9. | Jenny Card (2002-05) | 19 |
| 10. | Chandler Howard (2012-15) | 18 |
| All-Time Triples | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Juliette Brooks (1996-99) | 22 |
| 2. | Michelle Nikolayew (1993-96) | 19 |
| 3. | Carla Camino (1990-93) | 16 |
| 4. | Renee Clark (1984-87) | 14 |
| 5. | Laurie McMahon (1988-91) | 14 |
| 6. | Rebecca Hall (2015-18) | 9 |
| 7. | Sarah Kalka (2006-09) | 6 |
| 8t. | Amanda Shaw (2020-present) | 5 |
| 8t. | Stephanie Huang (2013-16) | 5 |
| 8t. | Payton Lincavage | 5 |
| All-Time Strikeouts | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Alyssa Landrith (2013-15) | 642 |
| 2. | Leah Black (2000-04) | 518 |
| 3. | Kelly Gallagher (1985-88) | 433 |
| 4. | Nikki Ambruso (1989-92) | 392 |
| 5. | Nicole Lindley (2007-10) | 361 |
| 6. | Ashley Hitchcock (2020 - present) | 269 |
| 7. | Jaden Vickers (2020 - present) | 267 |
| 8. | Chrissy Yard (2006-09) | 248 |
| 9. | Dresden Maddox (2013-16) | 241 |
| 10. | Sharon Martin (1980-83) | 204 |
| PRESEASON PREVIEW PODCAST |
| UP NEXT |
The Rutgers softball team travels to the Mardi Gras Classic in Mobile, Alabama. The Scarlet Knights will face host South Alabama along with Missouri State and Mississippi Valley.
Follow Rutgers softball on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
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