Rutgers Softball Opens Up Big Ten Tournament Wednesday
After tying the program record for runs scored in a season, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights Softball team (32-24) embarks on the Big Ten Tournament on Wednesday afternoon against sixth seeded Ohio State.
Rutgers is ranked as the 11th seed in the Big Ten Tournament, which will take place at Eichelberger Field in Champaign, Illinois. The winner of the Rutgers-Ohio State match-up will move on to face third seeded Minnesota in the Big Ten Tournament quarterfinals.
🚨 The 2023 #B1GSoftball Tournament Bracket is set!
— Big Ten Softball (@B1Gsoftball) May 7, 2023
12 Big Ten teams will make their way to Illinois' Eichelberger Field for this week's tournament (May 10-13) with all 11 games televised live on @BigTenNetwork and the @FOXSports app!
🔗 https://t.co/oaRDHT8V7B pic.twitter.com/WNAPq0jVIX
It has been a record setting season for Rutgers Softball. Not only are the Scarlet Knights in the Big Ten Tournament for the fourth time since coming to the Big Ten, Rutgers’ 32 victories is the most victories for softball since 1993; they are two victories shy of the program record. Not to mention the 284 runs scored this season, tied the program mark, initially set in 2015. Head Coach Kristin Butler also earned her 200th career win on March 25 at Illinois and her 100th win at Rutgers on April 5 vs. Maryland.
Leading the charge offensively for the Scarlet Knights was Morgan Smith, who drove in 44 runs and hit .360 on the season; Payton Lincavage hit .304 with eight homers and 36 RBI, while Katie Wingert powered six homers and 41 RBI during the regular season.
Rutgers defeats No. 18 Northwestern, 7-3, for the Scarlet Knights' first ranked win since 2012!#NCAASoftball x 🎥 BTN+ / @RUSoftball pic.twitter.com/HIHAVN512F
— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball) May 6, 2023
Rutgers pitching staff was anchored by the durable Jaden Vickers, who started 13 games, appeared in 30 games overall, while pitching to a 3.09 ERA and a record of 11-7. She struck out 92 batters in 102 innings of work.
Rutgers went 1-2 against Ohio State this season.