Softball Welcomes New Scarlet Knights
Nov 20 | Softball
MEET THE NEW SOFTBALL SCARLET KNIGHTS
Marley Caldwell
Pitcher
R/R | 5-8
Scottsdale, Ariz. | Notre Dame Prep
Club: Arizona Storm
AROUND THE BASES
- Notre Dame Prep High School Varsity MVP (2023, 2024)
- Notre Dame Prep HS Varsity Defensive Player of the Year Award (2022, 2023)
- 4A West Valley All-Region First Team (2021, 2022)
- MaxPreps Softball Player of the Game - Mar 2, 2022
- Notre Dame Prep High School Varsity MVP Award (2021, 2022)
- Daughter of Gary and Jessica
- Has two brothers, Jacob and Kade
- Plans to major in business and looking to pursue a career as a lawyer
Caldwell On Choosing Rutgers: "I chose Rutgers because I fell in love with the softball program. I love the coaching staff and the way that they run things. It felt like a perfect fit."
Coach Butler On Caldwell: "Marley is a very talented pitcher who can change planes with every pitch. She will be a force in the circle for the Scarlet Knights."
Coach Butler On Caldwell: "Marley is a very talented pitcher who can change planes with every pitch. She will be a force in the circle for the Scarlet Knights."
Etta Garofalo
Infield
L/L | 5-8
Warwick, N.Y. | Warwick Valley
Club: Empire State Huskies
AROUND THE BASES
- Ranked No. 20 nationally and No. 15 infielder by Line Drive Media
- Led Warwick Valley in batting average, OBS, OPS, SLG and doubles (2024)
- Three-time Section 9 Division Champions
- Led travel team in batting average back-to-back seasons (2023, 2024)
- Hit over .400 in every travel tournament (2024)
- Top two in hits for club program (2024)
- Led club team in OPS (2024)
- Top two in slugging percentage for club (2024)
- TNJ All-Tournament Team (2024)
- Empire State Huskies Elite 8 Colorado Sparkler Tournament (2023)
- Empire State Huskies Team NJ Champions (2023)
- Recognized in AGL for highest batting average and most hits at the Clearwater Invitational
- Academic All-American
- Three-time all-section scholar-athlete award winner
- Also played basketball
- Daughter of Charlotte and Valerie
- Mother Charlotte played softball at Saint Francis (NY)
- Has one sister, Eva, also a 2025 incoming Scarlet Knight
- National Honor Society
- Plans to major in psychology looking to pursue a career as a sport psychologist
Coach Butler On Garofalo: "Etta is a true left-handed power hitter and first baseman. She can change the game with one swing. I am excited to work with her."
Eva Garofalo
Catcher
R/R | 5-5
Warwick, N.Y. | Warwick Valley
Club: Empire State Huskies
AROUND THE BASES
- Ranked No. 20 nationally and No. 9 catcher by Line Drive Media
- Three-time Section 9 Division Champions
- Four-time 845 Player To Watch
- All-State
- Hit .384 with 29 home runs nine triples, 49 doubles and 144 RBIs with Empire State Huskies (2024)
- Led Warwick Valley HS in home runs as freshman, sophomore and junior
- Empire State Huskies Elite 8 Colorado Sparkler Tournament (2023)
- Empire State Huskies Team NJ Champions (2023)
- Two-time Most Dedicated Award for student-athletes
- Two-time All-American Academic Scholar
- Also played basketball
PERSONAL
- Daughter of Charlotte and Valerie
- Has one sister, Etta, also a 2025 incoming Scarlet Knight
- National Honor Society
- Plans to major in sports business
Butler On Garofalo: "Eva is one of two catchers to join us. Her strength behind the plate and her ability to play several positions adds great depth to our roster."
Charleigh Schuettler
Catcher
R/R | 5-7
Phoenix, Arizona | Sandra Day O'Connor
Club: Arizona Storm
AROUND THE BASES
- Desert Valley Region Defensive Player of the Year (2024)
- 6A All-Conference Second Team (2024)
- Desert Valley Region First Team (2023)
- Desert Valley Region Honorable Mention (2022)
- First Team All-Academic (2022, 2023, 2024)
- Daughter of Robert and Kela
- Has one sister, Abigail
- National Honor Society
- Student-Athlete Leadership Training
- Alliance Player Advisory Committee
- Interact Club
- Plans To major in biomechanical engineering
Coach Butler On Schuettler: "She has the ability to control the game from behind the plate. Her stellar arm and strong bat will make an immediate impact in our lineup."
Desiree Trudel
Infield
R/R | 5-4
Commerce, Georgia | Banks County
Club: Hotshots National ATL
AROUND THE BASES
- Region 8 6A GHSA Player of the Year
- Two-time GHSA Player of the Year
- GACA First Team All-State
- SOGHSA First Team All-Region
- All-Athens Area Team
- Broke Banks County HS season and career home run record as a sophomore
- Recorded 13 home runs with a .451 batting average, .591 OBP and .951 slugging percentage with 46 hits, 35 RBIs as a senior
- Collected 10 home runs with a .468 batting average with .527 OBP and 1.065 slugging percentage with 29 hits and 23 RBIs as a junior
- Also held a 1.084 slugging percentage and .569 OPS with 51 hits, 51 RBIs, 19 RBIs and three triples her sophomore season
- Began career with a .328 batting average and .478 OBP as a freshman
- Daughter of Heather and Tyler
- Has one brother, Chase
- Plans to major in sports management
Coach Butler On Trudel: "Desiree is the definition of a pure hitter. She will add tremendous power to our lineup and make her presence known."
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