It was a rainy Tuesday afternoon when Rutgers-Camden met Gwynedd Mercy in a non-conference game. The scene was set in Camden early due to weather conditions. Baseball season has finally arrived, and the Raptors want to prove themselves. With the season being so fresh, the Raptors had an even record to break. This past weekend, they won and lost to Immaculata University. The Scarlet Raptors were hungry for a win and were able to defeat Gwynedd Mercy. The game ended 16-6, moving the Scarlet Raptors to 2-1 early in the season.
The game started slowly, with no runs scored in the first inning. In the second inning, Ryan Nutley walked and was driven in after Danny Vazquez hit a two-run home run. The home run was Vazquez's first career home run, putting Rutgers ahead for the remainder of the game.
In the third inning, the Scarlet Raptors put the game away with an 11-run inning. Starting strong, Jacob Watson, the leading hitter for the game, reached base on a bunt and proceeded to steal second. This got the inning going as Gwynedd Mercy's pitchers could not keep up with Rutgers-Camden. This inning consisted of four walks, two hit by pitches, among three Gwynedd Mercy pitchers. Seventeen men went to the plate as the Scarlet Raiders were on fire this inning, with numerous RBIs and bases stolen. Nutley finished the scoring with a single, driving in Auggie Uzdanovics and Billy Richards as the inning with a score of 13-1.
The game slowed down after the excitement of the third inning. During the fourth inning, the Griffins put two runs on the board from Drew Haines and Ricky Templeton. However, the Scarlet Raptors added three more runs to their score, their final runs of the game. The score remained the same throughout the 5th inning.
During the sixth inning, Gwynedd Mercy attempted a comeback, but they were unsuccessful as they scored just three runs during the sixth. The game was cut short due to rain as Gwynedd Mercy was left with two men on base. Rutgers-Camden did not get to play the bottom of the seventh as they were well ahead at the time of stoppage.
Chase Cooper had an incredible game, as he pitched five innings, allowing seven hits, three runs (two unearned), and struck out eight.
Watson had an incredible game, picking up two hits and scoring two runs.
"Yesterday's game is how we expect to play every game. Coach Kulik always says never be satisfied with any outcome, and he's right. There's still a lot to get done and some things to clean up," said Watson. "Everyone on our team knows what we are capable of, and we just want to go out and play 100% every time we step onto the field. I believe if we have the right mindset our future is limitless with this group of guys. I'm excited to see what we can do."
Rutgers-Camden will retake the field on Friday against Penn State Abington.
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