If you witnessed a Rutgers-Newark softball game over the last four seasons, chances are you noticed Morgan Walizer.
Walizer was the one who had the bright, wide smile, brimming from ear-to-ear. Chances are that Walizer was also laughing and trying to make her teammates remain upbeat and happy.
“I think I’m just always happy and smiling,” Walizer said. “My team has become my family and I love being with my family. I smile because everything is okay when I’m with them. There’s nothing better than playing softball with my teammates and friends.”
“She keeps everyone so level headed,” said Rutgers-Newark head softball coach Kristen Hunt. “The kid never stops smiling. She had two finals one day last week and she was still smiling. I probably would want to cry, but that’s just Morgan.”
However, if you looked out on the field and looked for Walizer, chances are that you had to look all over the field to find that smile.
That’s because Walizer was definitely the most versatile of the Scarlet Raiders, playing everywhere and anywhere Hunt wanted her to play.
“I think the only position she hasn’t played this year is catcher,” Hunt said of Walizer, who saw time at pitcher, second base, third base, left field and right field. Walizer was also previously a first baseman. “She can play the outfield, the infield. We put her at second base to get her bat in the lineup. She’s accepted every challenge that I’ve given her. She’s a team player 100 percent of the time.”
“I’m just happy I’m playing,” Walizer said. “As long as I’m in the lineup, I really don’t care where I’m playing. Whatever it takes to play, I’ll do it.”
Walizer showed her versatility in her final collegiate game Wednesday night in a loss to New York University in the opening round of the ECAC Division III championships. Walizer started the game at third base, then entered the game to pitch three solid innings, allowing just one run on four hits, then returned to third base for the final two innings. She collected two hits in the game at the plate.
“I think it’s awesome, being so versatile,” Walizer said. “I just need to find a place on the field to play, any place. Each position is different and takes a different mindset. I just love playing the game and I make it work.”
When Walizer arrived at R-N almost four years ago from Lacey Township High School in southern New Jersey, she said she came to receive an education.
“I chose Rutgers-Newark for the academics,” said Walizer, who will graduate in the fall with a degree in biology and then head on to graduate school. “I liked the diverse community and the softball team was very competitive. It had the best of everything.”
But when Walizer was a freshman, she hardly saw the field.
“It was a little disappointing that I didn’t play much,” Walizer said.
Enter Hunt, who became the head coach three seasons ago. Hunt admitted she knew nothing of Walizer.
“I didn’t even know she was on the team,” Hunt said. “She just showed up one day with the other girls and I asked one of the girls, ‘Oh, is this your friend?’ She said, ‘No, I’m on the team.’ I really didn’t know.”
But Hunt soon found out that Walizer was on the roster and was one of the hardest working members of the Scarlet Raiders.
“I labeled Morgan as our silent hero, because she can do so much,” Hunt said. “She doesn’t get enough recognition for what she does. I know I can throw her anywhere and I’d trust her. I always had to find a place for her in the lineup.”
“Coach K came in and it was really nice to have a new coach,” Walizer said. “I think we all bought into the process. We have a super close team. When she came in, I thought it was a good opportunity for me to prove myself. I wanted the best for the team and wanted the best opportunity for us to win.”
In the offseason, Walizer spent countless hours in the batting cage to improve her hitting. She worked on defensive drills on the infield, especially at third base, her true best position.
“I always played a lot of positions as a kid growing up,” Walizer said. “So that helped me. I always practiced a lot. I wanted to be ready to go out and do whatever Coach K wanted me to do.”
Before the 2018 season began, Walizer got hit with a ball in the head, causing a concussion, but that didn’t keep Walizer from the field long. She was back with her team as soon as she received clearance.
Walizer didn’t pitch this season as much as she did in the past, but she did manage to post a 4-2 record in 41 innings.
“Morgan brings a different dimension as a pitcher,” Hunt said. “She is effective with her off-speed stuff. I don’t think I ever approached her and told her that she would pitch less this year. But it gives us a lot of opportunity when she pitches because she’s such a good hitter.”
Walizer finished the season with a .364 batting average with 13 RBI. Her versatility enabled her to earn honorable mention All-New Jersey Athletic Conference from the league’s coaches.
“That was the best feeling in the world,” Walizer said of her All-NJAC recognition. “I was so excited when I found out. It was the highlight of my senior year. I guess my hard work paid off for me. It was awesome to see the changes in the program from my freshman year to now.”
Hunt enjoyed watching the transformation of Walizer from a little-used bench player to one of the most important people in the program.
“She has grown into a vocal leader,” Hunt said. “She was a captain last year and this year. She’s the heart and soul of this team, both on and off the field. She’s grown so much confidence-wise.
She hardly played and then became an impact player for us. She’s the team player who would do anything for us. She’s the one player on your team that you really wanted to coach.”
When Hunt was asked about her senior class graduating, she paused.
“I really don’t even want to think about it,” Hunt said. “They all mean so much to me.”
And to the program, especially the one with the brightest smile on her face all the time.
There is good news. Rutgers-Newark is not getting rid of Walizer just yet, as she has agreed to be a graduate assistant coach for next season. So Scarlet Raider followers will get to enjoy Walizer’s incredible personality for at least another campaign.
