Box Score

MYRTLE BEACH, SC – Junior Michael Garcia blanked Centenary on five hits for seven innings as Rutgers-Newark cruised to a 7-1 season-opening win at the Northeast Challenge in Myrtle Beach, S.C.

Garcia struck out eight and walked just one before departing the mound with a 6-0 lead.

The Scarlet Raiders (1-0) erupted for four runs in the second inning against sophomore Eliezer Riviera to give Garcia all the runs he would need.  With one out, designated hitter Ryan Maloney and centerfielder Matt Larangera drew back-to-back walks before shortstop Matt Goldberg singled to load the bases.  Rookie second baseman Gerry Patrizio walked to bring home the first run before rookie left fielder Ryan Macfarlane doubled to right center to plate Laragera but Goldberg was pegged out at the plate for the second out.  Third baseman Kevin Olah then stroked a 2-run single to cap the decisive rally.

Olah went two for three to pace the Raiders' six-hit attack while Macfarlane went one for four and scored twice in his first college game.

Junior first baseman Vin Troisi drove in a pair of runs with a sacrifice fly in the sixth and a bases-loaded walk in the seventh.

The Cyclones (1-1) finished with seven hits and two errors while the Raiders compiled six hits and committed three errors.

Rutgers-Newark is slated to take on Neumann at 3 p.m. and SUNY Maritime at 6 on Saturday to round out the weekend at the Ripken Experience.