NJAC Release 

R-N Captains Announced

NEWARK, N.J. (February 15, 2017) – The Rutgers University-Newark softball team was picked to finish ninth in the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) according to a preseason poll of the league's head coaches, it was announced Wednesday morning by the conference office.
 
Rutgers-Newark is coming off its most successful season ever, setting a new program wins record, earning the most NJAC triumphs in program history and reaching the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Tournament.
 
R-N was also picked as the 'dark horse' within the conference by the league's head coaches.
 
Rowan University topped the poll receiving nine first-place votes. The College of New Jersey, Stockton University, Ramapo College and William Paterson University rounded out the top-five, with Kean University, Rutgers University-Camden, Montclair State University, Rutgers-Newark and New Jersey City University occupying spots 6-through-10.
 
Despite graduating 2016 standout Kelsey Lucas, Rutgers-Newark brings back just about its entire roster that picked up 21 wins and reached the postseason. Captains Morgan Walizer and Elizabeth Marflak are tasked with leading a talented group including two-time all-conference pick Kelly Yusko, sophomore Samantha Hoffman who hit .344 as a freshman, junior Kayla Gallo, junior Sam Held and more. Additionally, Head Coach Kristen Hunt and her staff have brought in a talented group of newcomers that are eager to make their mark on the team.
 
Rutgers-Newark opens its 2017 schedule in Clermont, Fla. with 10 games during their Spring Break trip. The opener will be against New England College on March 11, and upon heading back to New Jersey, the Scarlet Raiders will play Drew University in their home-opener on March 21.
 
R-N fans can expect a full preview of the schedule early next week, and can follow @ScarletRaiders on twitter for the latest on Rutgers-Newark softball.