MELBOURNE, Fla. – The Rutgers-Newark softball team opened the 2026 season on Saturday with a pair of contests during its spring break trip to Florida, falling to St. Catherine (MN) 14-1 before dropping a 9-1 decision to Saint Mary's (IN).

St. Catherine jumped out to an early lead in the opening inning of game one, plating a run on a sacrifice fly before adding another later in the frame on a passed ball. The Wildcats added a third run in the fourth inning before Rutgers-Newark got on the board in the bottom half of the frame. Keeling O'Brien delivered a double to bring home Kayla Cardozo, accounting for the Scarlet Raiders' lone run of the contest.

The Wildcats responded with a big fifth inning, highlighted by a grand slam from Helen McKinnon along with several additional RBI hits to extend the lead and put the game out of reach.

In the second game of the day, Saint Mary's (IN) took control early, scoring three runs in the opening inning behind a run-scoring groundout and a two-RBI single. The Belles continued to add to their advantage throughout the game, including runs scored on a wild pitch, sacrifice fly, and a fielder's choice.

Rutgers-Newark's lone run came in the fourth inning when Mariah Rimas McManus crossed the plate following an error by the pitcher.

The Scarlet Raiders will look to regroup as their spring break trip continues, returning to action tomorrow with matchups against UMass Boston and MCLA-MA  in Melbourne.

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