Rutgers softball has impressive weekend in UNC Mizuno Invitational, wins 3 games
The Rutgers softball team had an eventful weekend in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, competing in the UNC Mizuno Invitational. The Scarlet Knights (13-7, 0-0) managed to snag three wins in the tournament and outscored their four opponents 24-5.
Day one
Rutgers opened the weekend with a 7-1 victory over Lafayette.
The Knights completely dominated in the matchup. They got ahead early, gaining a 3-0 lead in the second inning.
Junior infielder Maddie Lawson got things rolling, knocking in a run off a single, followed by runs batted in (RBI) from senior outfielder Leilani Chavez and senior shortstop Kyleigh Sand.
Senior pitcher and outfielder Morgan Smith grounded out in the fourth, but Chavez scored on the play to extend Rutgers' lead.
Junior pitcher and first baseman Georgia Ingle was able to get out of a jam in the fifth inning, where the Leopards (2-12, 0-0) had a chance to get on the board. With the bases loaded, Ingle recorded a strikeout to shut the door on the inning.
The Knights added another three runs in the fifth, settling on a 7-0 lead.
Lafayette knocked in its only run in the final frame, ultimately falling to Rutgers 7-1.
Day two
The Knights settled for a split on day two of the Mizuno Invitational.
Rutgers met North Carolina for a morning matchup on Saturday, winning the game 4-0.
Smith got the start in the circle for the Knights, collecting her fourth win of the season. She held the Tar Heels (15-3, 0-0) to just five hits and no runs.
Along with her work on the mound for Rutgers, Smith hit her seventh home run of the season in the final inning, securing the shutout win.
The Knights were not as lucky in game two, falling just short of a win against Campbell.
Rutgers was on the board first with an RBI single from graduate student catcher Katie Wingert, but the Fighting Camels (8-11, 0-0) tied it up late, bringing the game to extra innings.
Smith brought in a run on a fielder's choice, giving the Knights a 2-1 lead in the top of the eighth.
Campbell bounced back in the bottom of the inning, though, scoring two runs with two outs, winning the game 3-2.
Day three
Rutgers concluded the weekend with a bang. A 10-2 mercy rule victory against Rider was the closing scene for the Knights.
Rutgers had a massive opening inning, scoring seven runs, including a two-run homer from graduate student infielder Payton Lincavage. The Knights kept the scoring coming, taking an 8-0 lead in the third.
The Broncs (4-5, 0-0) got on the board in the third and added on a homer in the fourth to cut their deficit to 8-2.
Rutgers stayed the course, though. A two-run homer from Smith sealed the deal, and the Knights finished their weekend strong.
Rutgers takes the field next at the Bulldog Classic in Fresno, California, meeting CSUN next Saturday for a 1 p.m. matchup.
For more updates on the Rutgers softball team, follow @TargumSports on X.
To view more of Allison Girardi's work, follow @allisongirardii on X.
