MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (March 17, 2023) – Trailing by three runs entering the bottom of the seventh inning, the Rutgers University-Camden baseball team unleashed its explosive offense.
 
The Scarlet Raptors scored eight runs in the seventh inning and went on to defeat Salem State University, 10-4, here Friday at The Ripken Experience.
 
With their third straight victory, the Scarlet Raptors improve to 6-5. The Salem State Vikings, based in Salem, Massachusetts, fall to 2-6.
 
Rutgers-Camden's eight-run frame was its largest inning since a program-record 12-run fifth inning in a 20-3 win over Immaculata University on Feb. 23, 2020.
 
Salem State scored a run in the sixth inning to break a 1-1 tie and added two more in the top of the seventh before the Scarlet Raptors went to work. They slugged nine hits in their eight-run frame, which was sparked by a leadoff double from sophomore left fielder Chris Bonafiglia. Junior center fielder Auggie Uzdanovics followed with a bunt single, the first of his two hits in the inning.
 
An RBI single by junior shortstop Giacomo Antonicello plated Bonafiglia and freshman right fielder Jacob Watson followed with a bunt single. Senior second baseman Danny Vazquez singled home another run and left the bases loaded for sophomore third baseman Frankie Romond, who drilled his team-leading third triple of the season to drive home three runs. One out later, senior designated hitter Jack Murphy singled home Romond and sophomore first baseman Diego Salazar doubled. With two outs, a Uzdanovics single plated Murphy for the final run of the inning.
 
The beneficiary of the big inning was sophomore reliever Josh Miller, who earned his first collegiate win in relief of senior starter John Kasper. Miller (1-0) worked 2.2 innings, allowing two hits, two walks and two earned runs. He struck out one.
 
Kasper hurled 6.1 strong innings, allowing six hits and two walks. Both runs that Salem State scored off him were unearned.
 
One game after getting 17 hits in a 17-2 win over Plymouth State University on Wednesday, the Scarlet Raptors raised their season high to 18 hits against Salem State. Watson, Murphy and sophomore catcher Andrew Brown all went 3-for-4, while Salazar, Uzdanovics and Antonicello had two hits apiece. Everyone in the starting lineup collected at least one hit.
 
Romond led the RBI parade with three, while Murphy and Uzdanovics had two apiece.
 
Rutgers-Camden closes its trip to The Ripken Experience on Saturday when it faces Cairn University (Langhorne, Pennsylvania) at 9 a.m.