KISSIMMEE, FL – Senior Amber Affholter singled home the winning run with one out in the top of the eighth as Rutgers-Newark rallied for a 4-3 extra-inning win over the University of St. Francis at the Rebel Spring Games. 

Rutgers-Newark 4, St. Francis IL 3 (8 innings)

Affholter, who went two for four, slapped a 2-run double to left field in the sixth to lift the Scarlet Raiders 
(1-0) into a 3-2 lead. 

In the eighth, she drove in freshman outfielder Nicole Odell who was aboard as the runner at second to begin the frame. Pinch hitter Samantha Veneziano was hit by a pitch and senior center fielder Jessica Zelaya drew a walk to load the bases before junior second baseman Emily Ibarra struck out to set the stage for Affholter's single through the right side of the infield. 

Freshman right-hander Angela Riscinti (1-0) went the distance for the victory, scattering nine hits and walking one. 

Freshman Monica Liotto became the second Scarlet Raider this spring to begin a career with a home run in the season-opener, delivering a solo shot in the second inning to put Rutgers-Newark on the board.  Freshman outfielder Matt Larangera drove a solo home run to right field in the Raider baseball team's season-opening win over Mount St. Mary on March 3 in his first collegiate at-bat.

Freshman Jordan Halata (0-1) was the hard-luck loser for the Fighting Saints (2-5), giving up just four hits while striking out two and walking three. She gave way to sophomore Jackie Frey after loading the bases in the eighth. Frey struck out Ibarra before giving up the game winner to Affholter. 

St. Francis freshman reserve leftfielder Kalli Tobias and Halata delivered back-to-back doubles in the bottom of the sixth to knot the score at 3-3 and force the extra inning. 

Junior shortstop Caitlin Dolan went two for three with a double for the Saints while senior centerfielder Kendel Behrens was two for four.