Tag: Jaden Vickers

Rutgers softball: Mattie Boyd makes history

Rutgers softball made a piece of history over the weekend.

On Friday afternoon, Rutgers softball made headlines in their win over Army. In their 2-0 victory, Sachse, Texas native Mattie Boyd threw a no-hitter and improved to 3-0. While Rutgers lost to Duke in their second game of the afternoon, Boyd etched herself into the record books.

From the first pitch, the Army Mules had no answer for Boyd. In her third start of the season, the Rutgers star struck out nine batters and only walked two. On a day when the Scarlet Knights could not get much going offensively, Boyd stepped up.

 

Additionally. Boyd joined special company as she made history on the mound. She became the first Rutgers pitcher to throw a no-hitter since Jaden Vickers in 2022. Before that, the program’s last no-hitter came in 2012.

As Boyd dazzled on the mound, she got help from Katie Wingert and Julian Anderson. The talented duo provided the offensive with RBI doubles. Their clutch hitting proved to be more than enough.

Through 18 innings of work this season, Boyd has been nearly unhittable with a 0.78 ERA. She has also struck out 22 batters in that span. While it will be hard for her to replicate Friday’s performance, it is one outing Boyd will never forget.

Rutgers spring athletic shifts focus to 2024, baseball prepares for tournament play

The playoffs have already provided exciting moments for the Scarlet Knights but have also been full of heartbreak.

With summer on the horizon, all of Rutgers spring athletics have shifted their focus to 2024 except for baseball, which still has two games left in the regular season. The playoffs have already provided exciting moments for the Scarlet Knights but have also been full of heartbreak.

Women’s lacrosse shocked the world by beating a higher seed in John Hopkins in their first playoff game before falling to Maryland. Men’s lacrosse and softball did not have the same luck, as they both suffered early playoff exits.

Over the next few weeks, Rutgers fans will shift their focus to baseball, with the season finale set for this Saturday. After that, the Scarlet Knights will begin their playoff run and would be the fifth seed if the season ended on Friday. They have thrived against Big Ten teams lately, which is a good sign.

As the Scarlet Knights look to make a deep playoff run, there still should be a few unforgettable moments left in a 2023 campaign that has been a rollercoaster ride.

Check out what is going on with spring sports around Rutgers!

Rutgers spring athletics provide mixed results in the third week of April

With the spring season starting to wind down, Rutgers spring athletics are beginning to shift their focus to tournament play.

With the spring season starting to wind down, Rutgers spring athletics are beginning to shift their focus to tournament play. Men’s lacrosse has already had its season finale, with other teams just a little behind. However, with wins at a premium, Rutgers athletics has had mixed results over the last week.

After getting off to a hot start, softball has lost six straight. The Scarlet Knights have struggled, particularly against Ohio State and Penn State. This weekend they have a chance to get back in the win column with a series against Indiana.

While softball has struggled, Rutgers baseball has been hard to stop over the last week. The Scarlet Knights have won three straight, and Christian Coppola recently made national headlines. Heading into play on Saturday, they are eighth in the Big Ten standings.

In a week full of ups and downs, Rutgers had plenty of memorable moments.

Check out what is going on with spring sports around Rutgers!

Jaden Vickers has been the ace for Rutgers softball

Jaden Vickers is having a strong season for Rutgers softball.

So far this season, Rutgers softball has been one of the best teams in the Big Ten. While they have lost five straight, the Scarlet Knights have posted a 30-17 record through 47 games. Jaden Vickers has set the tone on the mound and taken her game to another level.

The Crystal Lake native leads Rutgers in multiple categories, including ERA and strikeouts. In 25 appearances, she has held opponents to a .228 batting average and recorded three saves. While playing various roles, Vickers has given Rutgers solid innings regardless of the situation. She has been especially good of late.

In her last seven appearances, Vickers has added five scoreless outings to her resume. During that stretch, she has struck out 20 batters, including eight on April second against Purdue. That tied her season high. With tournament playing approaching, the talented lefthander is getting better with every start.

Although Vickers is second on the team in innings pitched with 79.1, her 2.65 ERA is the lowest. If the season were to end today, that would be a career-best. Her ability to keep opponents off the scoreboard is why she has often been called upon during the 2023 campaign.

With only seven games left in the regular season, Rutgers focus will soon shift to the Big Ten tournament. Entering play on Thursday, they were eighth in the Big Ten and will be looking to earn a higher seed. Vickers will be critical to the Scarlet Knights improving their positioning.

If she can continue her recent play, then a deep playoff run could be in store for this Scarlet Knights team that has already had an impressive season.

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