Schedule I Roster

NJAC Preseason Poll

NEWARK, N.J. (March 11, 2019) – Led by fourth-year head coach Kristen Hunt, the Rutgers University-Newark softball team will look to return to the postseason for the third time in four seasons in 2019.

In two of Hunt's first three campaigns, the Scarlet Raiders earned a program-record 21 victories and their first two Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) postseason appearances, including hosting an ECAC matchup last spring.

CAPTAINS
Hunt set the tone for 2019, as she has done every season, by picking strong captains to lead the team. This year, Hunt named senior Samantha Hoffman and junior Brielle Mattiello as the leaders for this version of R-N.

"Both Sam and Brielle bring a lot of leadership on the field. Sam provides the knowledge and determination of a four-year starter who is one of the best outfielders in a tough New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC)." said Hunt, "Brielle was a big reason for our success last spring and will continue to be a big part of our offensive and defensive foundation."

In 2018, Hoffman was a top fielder for the Raiders as she started 34 games and recorded a .983 fielding percentage with 53 putouts in the outfield. Mattiello started all 37 contests and hit .276 with a .324 on-base percentage. She compiled 15 RBI, 13 runs, and six doubles in addition to three stolen bases. In the outfield, Mattiello earned a .975 fielding percentage with 36 putouts.

HITTERS AND FIELDERS
When discussing her lineup, Hunt immediately identified junior Sarah Stiehler as a key piece. The veteran will play in the outfield this season and is looking to build off a sophomore campaign that saw her bat .280 with a .358 OBP. Stiehler was second on the squad with 21 RBI and tied for third with 20 runs while raking seven doubles and a triple.

Sophomore Julie Contravo will also be a powerful hitter in the starting lineup after slashing an excellent line of .306/.391/.541 in her rookie season. The returner blasted a team-best six home runs and added eight doubles while leading Rutgers-Newark with 28 RBI.

Another important returner is leadoff hitter Jaclyn Arute. The shortstop and backbone of the Scarlet Raiders' defense also was fourth on the team with a fantastic .353 average and second with a .444 OBP. She racked up 11 extra base hits (eight doubles, three triples) and scored a squad-high 33 runs.

Starting catcher Sam Morton is another member of the sophomore class that will look to continue a strong start to her career. Morton hit .309 in her rookie campaign with six doubles and a homer that helped produce 15 RBI.

Rounding out the second-years, Desiree Roman provides pure speed and quickness off the bench and hopes to expand on a .400 OBP in 15 appearances last season. Emily Bartus will see time in the middle of the infield after playing in 11 games while Hunt expects some big at bats out of Kennedy Wright who recorded a .333 average in three contests.  Junior Alyssa Morales returns to the fold after a one-season hiatus and will be heavily utilized as an important fielder in both the infield and outfield.

Hunt continued on to pick out the rookies who will make an impact for the Scarlet Raiders. Riley Scuralli was described as a corner infielder with a big arm and bat. Brianna Hernandez is a utility player that adds some more pure speed to the roster who is very quick in the field and on the bases. Megan Tomaselli will add depth at the catcher position and allow for flexibility in the lineup while Patricia Frech-Reyes has shown a strong work ethic and determination to consistently improve her game at the plate and in the field.

PITCHERS
Last but not least, Hunt described returner Paige Masiello as a key starter who brings a lot of excitement to the game and is very vocal on the field. Masiello led the Raiders with a 3.94 ERA and 9-8 record last spring while hurling a team-high 102.2 innings and racking up 59 strikeouts.

Hunt has also added new faces to the rotation in rookies Michelle Capizzano, Jackie Lara, and Mira Broughton. Capizzano and Lara will both start a significant amount of games while Broughton is very consistent and adds important depth to the pitching staff.

SEASON OUTLOOK
"A lot of our players can perform almost anywhere on the field which is really to our benefit. Everyone has a role and depending on our opponent and starting pitcher, we have a team full of adaptable players who work hard regardless of their position." said Hunt, "I am really excited to see this group compete together as they have strong chemistry and are young and full of energy. Our goal is to make it back to the NJAC Tournament."