NJAC Preseason Poll

2016 R-N Schedule | Softball Videos

PITMAN, N.J. (February 17, 2016) - The Rutgers University-Newark softball team was picked ninth in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Preseason Coaches' Poll, it was announced Wednesday morning by the league office.

Rutgers-Newark is currently preparing for the 2016 season which begins March 6 at the College of Staten Island. The Scarlet Raiders will head to Claremont, Fla. for their Spring Break Trip from March 12-16, before opening the home portion of their schedule on March 19 against Swarthmore College. NJAC play begins for R-N at Rutgers University-Camden on April 2.

The Scarlet Raiders finished the 2015 season 18-20 overall and won a program-record five games in the NJAC. Rutgers-Newark won eight of its last 11 games to end the season strong and has a young, hungry group ready to make their mark in 2016.

"With only one upperclassman on the roster we have a lot of healthy competition for spots and playing time," said first-year Head Coach Kristen Hunt. "I was pleased with the work we put in throughout the offseason and preseason, and I am excited to see who will step up for us come March 6."

NJAC Preseason Coaches' Poll
1. Rowan University
2. Ramapo College
3. The College of New Jersey
4. William Paterson University
5. Kean University
6. Montclair State University
7. Rutgers University-Camden
8. Stockton University
9. Rutgers University-Newark
10. New Jersey City University

The 34th season of NJAC softball will get underway on Friday, February 26 when Rowan travels to Raleigh, NC to face William Peace University in the first non-conference games of the season. NJAC league play will begin on Saturday, April 2 with all 10 league teams in doubleheader action.

The top six regular season finishers will advance to the 2016 NJAC Championship Tournament which will take place during the week of May 3-8.

The winner of the NJAC Tournament receives the conference's automatic berth to the 2016 NCAA Division III National Championship Tournament.