Newark, NJ | The Rutgers University-Newark baseball team played their first home games of the season Saturday in a doubleheader against Roger Williams University. RU-N split the twin-bill winning the first game 7-6, and losing the second 5-4. The Scarlet Raiders stay level at 2-2 while the Hawks also move to .500 at 1-1.

Game 1: Rutgers-Newark 7, Roger Williams 6

In the opener, the Scarlet Raiders got out to a commanding 7-2 lead after three innings. During the second Tommy Scanlon hit a two-run single to left-center, scoring both Kevin Tamsula and Michael Streim opening the door for a five-run inning. He was the lone Scarlet Raider with multi-hits. Mathew Rypkema and Adam Thompson also both batted in a run in the inning, helping the Scarlet Raiders stretch their lead further.    

Starting pitcher Michael Matusz went five innings allowing just two earned runs both coming on a booming home-run to right-center credited to Brandon Jenkins in the second. 

Roger Williams scored a pair of unearned runs combined throughout the fifth and sixth inning due to a throwing error and a dropped fly ball.

After Matusz left the game it was David Vasquez who entered pitched 3.1 innings and fanned three batters while giving up a single run. 

With the Scarlet Raiders leading 7-4 heading into the ninth, things got very interesting when Jenkins hit a ball down the right-field line. Jenkins hit a double that seemed to go foul, however, it was called fair and the Hawks were given a gift and the door was opened for a possible comeback having men on second and third. George Somers advance the runners with a fly ball, driving in a run. Jenkins would then score on a passed ball and the Hawks were now down by one.

Jamir Ramos stepped up big for the Scarlet Raiders as he got the last two outs of the ball game and earned his second save of the year. 

Danny Roth, Ben Bonavita, Jenkins, and Eddy Jackson all had a double in the ball game. Bonavita went 2-for-3 with two walks and two runs scored for the Hawks.

Scanlon led the squad going 3-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored. Thompson, Connor Clare, and Tamsula all had a stolen base each in the matchup. Matusz picks up his second win of the season to improve to 2-0 with 10 innings pitched.

Game 2: Rutgers-Newark 4, Roger Williams 5

The second half of the doubleheader ended after six innings of play as the game was called due to darkness.

The Hawks struck first as they were able to get on the board in the second inning with back to back doubles by Brandon Jenkins and George Somers. Tommy Hobin singled to left to put the Hawks up 3-0 and were finding success against starting hurler, Michael Katims.

Chris Suleski opened up the bottom of the second with an infield single to second. After a Tommy Scanlon double, Jamir Ramos stepped out to the plate with men on second and third. He came through for coach Kevin Kelley with a two-run single up the middle. John Klimowich added a two-run single of his own in the inning and the lead was now 4-3 in favor of the Scarlet Raiders.

Both teams were held in check by starting pitchers Katims and Connor Hewlette until the sixth inning. The Hawks were able to score a pair of runs on a sacrifice fly by Somers scoring Danny Roth and a fielding error by Ramos allowed Ben Bonavita to score.

This would wind up being the difference, as the game was called early.

Michael Katims would take the loss after throwing all six innings and is now (0-1). Hewlette picked up the win and is now (1-0) on the season.

Joey Gulino and Jenkins both went 2-for-3 with Jenkins earning a double.

Kilmowich and Ramos both had two RBI going 1-for-3 and 1-for-2 respectively. Adam Thompson went 1-for-2 with a double and a walk while Scanlon went 1-for-3 with a double and a run.

Rutgers Newark continues their season on Tuesday with a non-conference matchup at home against the College of Saint Elizabeth.