Kelsey Lucas joined the Rutgers University-Newark softball coaching staff in September of 2016 after a superb playing career with the Scarlet Raiders. She will assist Head Softball Coach Kristen Hunt in all aspects of the program.
"I am incredibly lucky to have Kelsey on the staff this year," said Hunt. "She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our program, both as a player in the NJAC and as a coach. She is going to be a huge assets for both Laura (Messina) and myself."
Lucas was the 2016 Scarlet Raider team captain and helped Rutgers-Newark to the most successful season in program history. The Scarlet Raiders won 21 games, set a new New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) program wins record and reached the Eastern College Athletic Conference Metro Championship for the first time.
Lucas hit .284 as a senior, playing in and starting each and every one of the Scarlet Raiders' 42 games, slugging a lofty .504. Lucas blasted a team-best five home runs, got on base at a .323 clip, and played a very strong shortstop after never playing that position in her softball career.
For her Rutgers-Newark career, Lucas drove in 61 runs and totaled 115 hits. She also totaled 166 bases, 15 stolen bases, 93 runs scored and 31 extra-base hits.
A Criminal Justice major at Rutgers-Newark, Lucas was a part of 39 wins over the last two seasons which is the best two-year run the program has ever seen.
Despite her young age, Lucas already has experience as a coach, working with the NJ Heist's club program based out of Bloomfield (14U) and Top Gun Softball out of Edison.
