Hoboken, NJ – Rutgers–Newark fell to Stevens in the 2026 season opener. The Ducks secured a 9–4 victory despite the Scarlet Raiders striking first in the top of the fourth inning. After three scoreless frames, Rutgers–Newark broke through when Jonathan Jerez delivered a sacrifice fly to score Michael Weinbel, giving the Raiders a 1–0 lead and early momentum.

Stevens responded in the bottom half of the fourth with two runs to take a 2–1 advantage. The Ducks then seized control in the sixth inning, erupting for seven runs on a rotation of pitchers for the Scarlet Raiders. 

Rutgers–Newark continued to battle throughout the late innings. The Raiders added a run in the sixth and later found a spark in the seventh when Weinbel connected on a two-run home run to trim the deficit to 9–4. Despite the late push and competitive at-bats, the sixth-inning rally by Stevens proved decisive.

Weinbel finished the afternoon with a homer, two runs scored, and two RBIs to pace the Scarlet Raiders offensively. On the mound, Joey Santi provided a steady effort in the start, striking out four batters over three innings while allowing just four hits against 14 batters faced.

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