Rutgers softball heads to Chapel Hill to compete in UNC Mizuno Invitational
The Rutgers softball team is traveling to Chapel Hill, North Carolina, to compete in the UNC Mizuno Invitational this weekend. The Scarlet Knights (10-6, 0-0) will play five games over the span of three days, starting Friday morning.
Rutgers is coming off of a winning weekend at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, coming out on top in 4 of its 6 games.
Graduate student catcher Katie Wingert has been having an incredible season for the Knights. She leads the team in numerous statistics, such as her .404 batting average, eight home runs and 20 runs batted in (RBI). Wingert was a big help this past weekend, knocking in seven runs over the six-game span.
Upon traveling down south this weekend, Rutgers will face four different teams over three days.
The Knights will kick off day one of the tournament on Friday morning against Campbell. The Fighting Camels (5-11, 0-0) are entering the invitational after a 3-0 loss to Michigan State on Tuesday.
Campbell has had few high-scoring games, only reaching a total of 49 runs, compared to its opponents' 69.
The Fighting Camels will take on Lafayette bright and early at 9 a.m. on Friday before getting right back to it at 11:30 a.m. against Rutgers.
The Knights will then take on the host team, North Carolina, for an afternoon matchup on Friday.
The Tar Heels (13-2, 0-0) are coming off two polar opposite games, one in which they picked up a monstrous 21-1 win against NCCU, and another in which they won just 1-0 against Oakland University.
Rutgers will take on Campbell for a second time on day two of the tournament before meeting the Leopards (2-8, 0-0) on Saturday afternoon.
Lafayette is on a six-game losing streak entering the invitational, with its most recent loss against Colgate. The Leopards will be looking to improve their record while in Chapel Hill.
On the third and final day of the Mizuno Tournament, the Knights will take on fellow New Jersey school Rider for an early morning matchup.
The Broncs (3-2, 0-0) have not had as much time on the field as Rutgers, as they are still in the early stages of their schedule.
Tristen Wren leads Rider with a .417 batting average among players with at least 10 at-bats and is tied with three other teammates with a team-leading three RBI.
The pair of New Jersey schools will begin their contest at 9 a.m. on Sunday.
The Knights are revving up for another successful weekend and will be looking to keep their winning record through the Mizuno Invitational. Senior outfielder Kayla Bock, senior shortstop Kyleigh Sand and senior pitcher and outfielder Morgan Smith have been heating up and will all be players to watch this weekend alongside Wingert.
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