NEWARK,NJ- On April 11, Rutgers-Newark splits a NJAC conference doubleheader with Rutgers-Camden on their senior day. The seniors help lead their team to a 4-2 win after taking a very close 2-1 loss.
In the first game of the day, the Scarlet Raiders were held to just four hits but stayed within striking distance throughout the seven-inning battle.
Rutgers-Camden got on the board early with a run in the first inning and added what proved to be the difference-maker in the fifth. Despite the limited scoring, Rutgers-Newark's pitching kept the game close, highlighted by a strong outing from Michaela Hobson, who worked through multiple innings and limited damage against a lineup that totaled seven hits.
The Scarlet Raiders broke through in the sixth inning when they plated their lone run, cutting the deficit to 2-1 and setting up a chance late. Mariah Rimas-McManus and Hobson each contributed key hits, helping generate offense in an otherwise pitcher's duel.
Rutgers-Newark threatened in the final frame but could not complete the comeback, leaving the tying run on base. The team finished with four hits and five runners left on base in the narrow loss.
In the second match-up, Rutgers-Newark struck first in the opening inning when Keelin O'Brien tripled and later scored on an RBI single from Josephine Morales, giving Rutgers-Newark an early 1-0 lead. Despite being out-hit throughout the game, Rutgers-Newark's Micheala Hobson and Mia Aquino limited the damage and kept the team in control from the pitching mound.
Rutgers-Camden responded with single runs in the third and seventh innings, but could not capitalize on multiple scoring opportunities, leaving 10 runners on base.
The decisive moment came in the sixth inning when the Scarlet Raiders broke the game open. Kayla Cardozo led off with a triple, setting the tone for a three-run frame. Morales delivered again with an RBI single, and Destiny Maury added another run with an RBI to extend the lead to 4-1.
Rutgers-Newark finished with four runs on five hits, highlighted by Cardozo's triple and Keelin O'Brien's all-around performance, scoring twice and reaching base multiple times.
Senior day celebrations ended on a high note with this win and by honoring the team's six seniors, Josephine Morales, Keelin O'Brien, Kayla Cardozo, Micheala Hobson, Gaby Forses, and Destiny Maury.
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