Ohio State softball picks up Jaycee Ruberti, All-Region transfer from Hofstra

The Ohio State softball team under coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly finished fifth in batting average in the Big Ten this season, and today the team announced that they were adding another experienced stick to the lineup to help get the team back into the NCAA Tournament, after missing out this spring.

Kovach Schoenly welcomed former Hofstra outfielder Jaycee Ruberti to the Buckeyes’ roster after being a first-team All-Colonial Athletic Association and second-team All-Region honoree following the 2021 season. For the Pride this year, Ruberti hit .380 and led the team with 35 RBI and had a team best 1.031 OPS. She also successfully stole 14 bases on 15 attempts.

She started 92 of her 93 collegiate games and brings two remaining years of eligibility with her to Columbus.

A native of Virginia Beach, Va., Ruberti said of her decision to transfer to OSU, “I couldn’t be more excited about continuing my softball career at The Ohio State University. The Buckeyes are an elite program with elite coaches and players that I’m eager to be surrounded by. The winning mindset is very apparent when you step foot on campus and the coaching staff is dedicated to continuing that tradition. I can’t wait to take the field with this talented group of women and embrace this first-class opportunity to grind with my new teammates.”

In 2021, the Buckeyes finished with a 24-19 record, which was good for sixth in the Big Ten, but — due to the pandemic — were not able to play out-of-conference games, which could have bolstered their record enough to get them a berth into the NCAA Tournament for a fifth straight season dating back to 2016 — there was obviously no tournament in 2020.

OSU was seventh in the conference in doubles and 12th in triples in 2021, Ruberti had eight doubles and two triples on the season. If those had come in scarlet and gray, she would have been second on the team in two-bagers (behind only Ashley Prange) and she would have tied with two other Buckeyes for the team-lead in triples. Ruberti had all three of her career home runs this season as well.

“We are very excited to add Jaycee to our outfield squad,” said Kovach Schoenly. “She has several years of the college grind under her belt and is ready to compete for the Scarlet and Gray. Jaycee has shown she can hit for a high average while adding in power, make spectacular defensive plays, as well as has an inner drive that shows up in the biggest moments. Upon meeting her, we immediately felt the energy and commitment she has to improve herself as a player as well as add value to the Buckeyes.”

Ruberti also made the CAA Commissioner’s Academic Honor Roll and was a CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree while at Hofstra as a criminology major.

Welcome to the family, Jaycee!