Hackettstown, N.J. -  The Rutgers-Newark Baseball team opened its 2026 season with an impressive offensive performance, earning its first win of the year with a 13–6 victory over Centenary University on March 4. The Scarlet Raiders broke through early and never trailed, using timely hitting and steady pitching to secure the season-opening triumph.

Rutgers-Newark wasted no time getting on the board in the opening frame. Michael Weinbel delivered the first run of the season with an RBI single that brought Matthew Torettto home. Later in the inning, Joseph Bernardo laced a two-run double, scoring Malik Little and Weinbel to give the Scarlet Raiders an early cushion. In the second, Daniel Fedorco lifted a sacrifice fly to center field that plated Reid Duffus, and Torettto crossed the plate again on a wild pitch to extend the lead.

Centenary battled back with four total runs across the third and fourth innings to trim the deficit, but a two-run home run from RJ Kernan, with Little on base, helped Rutgers-Newark regain control and extend the lead. After two more Cyclone runs in the sixth inning, it was all Scarlet Raiders the rest of the way. Rutgers-Newark plated six additional runs over the final innings to pull away and secure the 13–6 victory.

Kernan led the way offensively and defensively, finishing with a home run, two hits, two runs scored, and three RBIs while adding seven putouts in the field. Malik Little collected three hits, scored twice, and drove in a run, while Duffus contributed two hits, three runs scored, and an RBI. On the mound, Joey Santi earned the win, tossing four innings while allowing eight hits and four runs and striking out four batters in the season-opening victory.

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