CAMDEN, N.J. (April 24, 2025) – Fighting for a berth in the upcoming six-team New Jersey Athletic Conference playoffs, every game on the remaining schedule is important to the Rutgers University-Camden baseball team, and the Scarlet Raptors took care of business here Thursday in the first of their final four regular-season contests.
 
Graduate hurler Ethan Carpenter pitched seven strong innings and the Scarlet Raptors backed him with an 11-hit attack as the Scarlet Raptors defeated Montclair State University, 8-3. The win lifted the Scarlet Raptors into a three-way tie for sixth place in the conference with Stockton University and Rutgers University-Newark, all with 7-8 NJAC marks.
 
Rutgers-Camden improves to 24-13 overall. Montclair State slips to 23-13 overall and 9-6 in the conference, currently two games behind second-place Rowan University.
 
The Red Hawks struck first with two runs in the second inning on an RBI single by senior designated hitter Matt Shuhet and a sacrifice fly by freshman second baseman Chris Gonzalo, but Rutgers-Camden cut its deficit in half with a third-inning run. Sophomore right fielder Brandon Petric hit a leadoff single, advanced on a walk to sophomore catcher Julian Gonzalez and moved up on a fly out. He scored on a squeeze bunt by sophomore designated hitter Austin Dubler.
 
The Scarlet Raptors took the lead for good in the fourth inning when a hit batsman, a walk, a fielder's choice and a stolen base put a pair of runners in scoring position with two outs. Petrick delivered a two-run single to center field.
 
In the fifth inning, second baseman Frankie Romond, a senior academically with junior eligibility, powered a solo home run to right field. It was his team-leading sixth homer of the season and part of his 3-for-5 day in which he scored two runs and collected two RBIs.
 
After Montclair State countered with a solo home run in the sixth inning by junior third baseman Chase Fischer to make it a 4-3 game, Rutgers-Camden broke it open with a three-run seventh inning. The Scarlet Raptors collected four hits in the frame, starting with two-out singles by Romond and freshman left fielder Ryan Joseph, who went to second base on a throw to third. Sophomore Matt McAleer ran for Joseph and graduate first baseman Jack Murphy singled home two runs. Murphy advanced on a wild pitch and scored on a double by senior third baseman Ryan Nutley.
 
The Raptors added their final run in the eighth inning on a double by Petrick and an RBI single by Romond.
 
Carpenter hurled seven innings of seven-hit ball, walking one and hitting two batters. He allowed three runs while raising his record to 6-2. It was his 16th career win, the fourth-highest total in program history and only two behind the two-way tie for first place at 18 victories. He received plenty of defensive help, including a stellar game at shortstop by freshman Chris Smith, an outstanding catch in center field by senior Steven Shaffer and a strong throw from right fielder Petrick to nab a runner rounding second base following a single.
 
Offensively, in addition to Romond's 3-for-5, Petrick went 3-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs, while Murphy went 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs. Murphy raised his program career record to 142 RBIs.
 
Rutgers-Camden and Montclair State complete their home-and-home NJAC series at 3:30 p.m. on Friday in Montclair.