Kyleigh Sand & Morgan Smith earn All-Region honors

Some bog honors have rolled in for Rutgers softball.

For Rutgers softball, the 2023 season ended in disappointing fashion with a loss to Ohio State in the first round of the Big Ten tournament. While their focus has shifted to the 2024 campaign, the past few months have been full of unforgettable moments. Many of those were provided by Kyleigh Sand and Morgan Smith, who were honored for their stellar play on May 18th.

Sand was named First Team All-Great Lakes Region and Smith was named Second Team All-Great Lakes Region. For the Scarlet Knights duo, their achievement comes as no surprise to those in Piscataway.

Last week’s announcement marked the second straight year Sand became a first-team all-region honoree. During the 2023 campaign, she was a force offensively. The California native led Rutgers in stolen bases with 26, triples with three, and runs with 54. Her dominance did not stop there; she ranked ninth in the Big Ten in batting average and second in hits with 71.

While Sand thrived in the infield, Smith a force in the outfield. The LSU transfer led Rutgers with 46 RBIs while posting a .357 batting average. She also gave Rutgers a boost in the field, as she only committed one error and recorded 92 putouts. She made an immediate impact and became a crucial part of Rutgers success.

Due to the contributions from Sand and Smith, Rutgers won 32 games, its highest total since 1994.  They will be looking to build on their success next spring and continue to rewrite the program’s record book.