MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (March 15, 2023) – The Rutgers University-Camden baseball team exploded for a season-high 17 hits as it defeated Plymouth State University, 17-2, here Wednesday morning  at The Ripken Experience.
 
The Scarlet Raptors, held scoreless over the first two innings, plated runs in every inning after that as they evened their record at 5-5. The onslaught marked the third time this season that Rutgers-Camden has scored 15 runs of more, with a high coming in an 18-4 season-opening win over FDU-Florham on Feb. 23.
 
The Panthers, based in Plymouth, New Hampshire, fell to 2-5.
 
The offensive outburst supported senior righty Ethan Carpenter, who worked seven strong innings, allowing only four hits and two runs (one unearned), while striking out six. Carpenter (2-0) didn't walk a batter.
 
Freshman Owen Davenport, making his first collegiate appearance, pitched the final two innings in relief, allowing no runs and one hit.
 
While Plymouth State notched only five hits, the Scarlet Raptors collected 17 off of six Panther pitchers. Junior shortstop Giacomo Antonicello went 3-for-4 with four runs and one walk, while freshman right fielder Jacob Watson, sophomore third baseman/left fielder Frankie Romond, sophomore first baseman/catcher Andrew Brown, senior designated hitter Jack Murphy and freshman catcher Evan Carbone collected two hits apiece.
 
Sophomore Joseph Santiago added a pinch-hit RBI single in the eighth inning for his first collegiate hit.
 
Rutgers-Camden sophomore left fielder Chris Bonafiglia jumped-started the offense with a leadoff home run down the left field line in the third inning. Watson added an RBI bunt single and Roman had a two-run single in that inning as the Scarlet Raptors scored four times.
 
Rutgers-Camden added a single run in the fourth inning and scored three times in the fifth on a three-run home run from Brown. They added four runs on only two hits in the sixth inning and scored three in the seventh, capped by a two-run pinch-hit single by junior Dustin Bellis.
 
Brown finished with four RBIs, while Watson, Romond and Bellis had two apiece. Watson collected two stolen bases and scored three runs from the leadoff spot. He also added a walk to increase his team-leading total to 10.
 
After an off day on Thursday, the Scarlet Raptors will continue play at The Ripken Experience Friday with a 3 p.m. game against Salem State University (Salem, Massachusetts).