PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Graduate student first baseman/utility LA Matthews, senior outfielder Jillian Anderson and freshman right-handed pitcher Ella Harrison were named Big Ten Softball Players To Watch, it was announced by the conference office.
 

Matthews begins her second season after starting all 55 games last season for the Scarlet Knights, primarily at first base. She hit .306 in a season that saw RU go 33-22 overall for the Scarlet Knights' second consecutive 30-win season and finish third in the Big Ten regular season standings, RU's best finish since joining the conference in 2014. Matthews totaled 56 hits and 34 runs on 13 doubles, a trio of triples and a home run. She also racked up 34 RBIs, including four contests with three runs batted in.

Anderson, also entering her second season at Rutgers, having patrolled the outfield in all 55 games a year ago. Her prowess robbed opponents from home runs and she committed no errors with 60 putouts for a perfect fielding percentage playing both in left and center. At the plate, Anderson batted .288 with 38 hits, 25 runs scored, three doubles and 12 RBIs. 

Harrison is in her first season "On The Banks". A member of the Softball America Freshman To Watch List, Harrison comes to Rutgers having earned 2023 New York State Class AA Player of the Year honors at Clarence High School. During her junior campaign she threw 134 strikeouts in 84 innings pitched with a 1.50 ERA while hitting .382 with 19 singles, six doubles and a triple. Additionally, she pitched 11 innings in a state championship shutout.​

Rutgers softball opens the 2025 campaign on Feb. 7-9 at the Spring Games in Leesburg, Florida. The Scarlet Knights will take on Cleveland State, MTSU, Louisville and Liberty.

Follow Rutgers softball on Facebook, X and Instagram.