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NEWARK, N.J. (March 2, 2017) – It is March and that means softball season is just about here at Rutgers University-Newark!
The Scarlet Raiders – who are currently in the midst of an intense preseason – open the season March 11 in Clermont, Fla. with single games against New England College and Western Connecticut State University.
Spring Break: As is the case most years, Rutgers-Newark begins its season down south, travelling to Florida for 10 games between Saturday, March 11 and Friday, March 17.
Home Opener: Newark will host Drew University on March 21 for a twin bill on Alumni Field. There will be a special ceremony in between games honoring former Scarlet Raider Ashley Heaney Butler who passed away in September.
Where are we going? In addition to Florida and New Jersey, the Scarlet Raiders will travel to New York to play New York University (March 23) and Hunter College (April 5) and Pennsylvania to battle Swarthmore College on March 26.
Road Trips and Home Stands: Outside of the Florida trip, Rutgers-Newark will have no more than two-straight home doubleheaders or two-straight road doubleheaders. The Scarlet Raiders will hit the road twice in a row March 23 and 26 (at NYU, at Swarthmore) and again April 5 and 8 (at Hunter College, at Montclair State University). R-N will be home for two-straight April 11 and 15 (Ramapo College, Rutgers University-Camden), and again on April 20 and 22 (Baruch College, New Jersey City University).
NJAC Home Matchups: Rutgers-Newark will welcome William Paterson University, Ramapo, Rutgers-Camden, NJCU and Stockton to Alumni Field this season. That means the Raiders visit conference rivals The College of New Jersey, Montclair, Kean University and Rowan University.
Slate Breakdown: Rutgers-Newark plays 10 neutral site games this year – all in Florida. The Raiders have 16 home contests and 14 road games. A total of 24 games take place in New Jersey, four in New York and two in Pa.
Some Promotions: In addition to the game being played in honor of Ashley Heaney Butler, Rutgers-Newark is working on several youth days – inviting local youth programs to Alumni Field. Senior Day is slated for April 29 against Stockton (1 p.m.), and plans are in the works for a celebration after the games on Accepted Students Day which is Saturday, April 22. Additionally, the Department of Athletics is looking to run a special Spring Day on April 15 for softball, baseball and men's tennis – all of which have home contests that day.
A Quick Look Back: Rutgers-Newark is looking to build on a 2016 season that was arguably the best in the history of the program. The Scarlet Raiders won the most games they ever have inside the conference, and finished with 21 wins, reaching the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Tournament.
What's Next? Fans can expect the 2017 Scarlet Raider roster to be posted on Tuesday of next week and a full season preview on Thursday, March 9.
