Ryann Orange has been key for Rutgers softball on the mound and at the plate

The 2023 softball campaign has been full of ups and downs for the Scarlet Knights. Through 50 games, they have posted a 30-20 record but lost eight straight. One bright spot has been the play of freshman Ryann Orange. She is proving to be a valuable piece on the mound and at the plate.

Through 50 games, Orange has posted a .320 batting average and driven in 27 runs. The Torrance native has also shown some power with 15 extra-base hits, including nine doubles. Regardless of the situation, she has been a constant source of offense for this Rutgers team. However, her value does not only lie in her bat.

This season, Orange has made ten appearances on the mound and posted a 2.80 ERA. Opponents are hitting .197 against the Rutgers freshman, and she has been able to limit hard contact. While most of Orange’s work has come out of the bullpen, she has provided quality innings whenever called upon.

While the 2023 campaign is winding down, Orange is creating excitement for her future at Rutgers. She has shown good control of the strike zone to go along with some power if a pitcher makes a mistake. That should only improve as she gets more experience.

With two series left in the regular season, Orange has plenty of time to build on her impressive year before the Big Ten tournament. She will be an important piece in the playoffs as Rutgers looks to make a deep postseason run starting on May fifth.

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Story originally appeared on Rutgers Wire