CAMDEN, N.J. (March 8, 2026) – It took 16 days and three doubleheader cancellations before the Rutgers University-Camden softball team was able to start their 2026 season.
 
The Scarlet Raptors finally had their opening doubleheader here Sunday after two previous postponements against SUNY-Oneonta and the cancellation of a scheduled doubleheader with Gwynedd Mercy University on Thursday.
 
The Scarlet Raptors and the Red Dragons ended up with a split in the doubleheader that was originally slated for February 22. Rutgers-Camden won the opener, 8-2, behind the pitching of junior Sammie Friel, while Oneonta took an 11-3 decision in a five-inning nightcap.
 
The opening day split leaves both teams with a 1-1 record.
 
Rutgers-Camden returns to action Tuesday when it will host Albright College in a 3 p.m. twinbill.
   
After Oneonta scored a run in the top of the third inning, Rutgers-Camden came back with four runs in the bottom of the frame, aided by four hits and two Red Dragon errors. Freshman first baseman Kaede Walsh and sophomore centerfielder Ryleigh Lender both reached base on singles and junior second baseman Gianna Bauer walked, setting the stage for a two-run single by junior third baseman Alana Gannon. Sophomore designated player Madi Carr singled to left center and an outfield throwing error scored both Bauer and Gannon.
 
The Scarlet Raptors added wo more runs in the fifth inning on one hit, three walks and a bases-loaded RBI HBP to sophomore catcher Zoie Mantzell. Junior shortstop Ava Iepson had an RBI single in the frame.
 
Oneonta cut the gap to 6-2 in the top of the sixth inning before Rutgers-Camden finished the scoring with two unearned runs in the bottom of the frame.
 
Gannon led the Raptors' seven-hit attack, going 2-for-3 with three runs scored and two RBIs.
 
Friel (1-0) hurled a complete game, allowing eight hits, one walk and two earned runs, while striking out 11. Oneonta sophomore starter Tanner Smith (0-1) took the loss, allowing four runs (three earned) in 2.1 innings.
   
The Red Dragons bounced back quickly in the second game, which ultimately was stopped after five innings due to the eight-run mercy rule. Oneonta collected nine hits to score seven runs in the first inning, including a two-run double by senior third baseman Jamie Cardello.
 
Rutgers-Camden countered with two runs in the bottom of the first inning on two hits and an error, with Bauer plating one run on a ground out and Iepson getting an RBI single, but Oneonta scored one run each in the second and fourth innings before pushing across two runs in the top of the fifth for its eight-run lead.
 
Rutgers-Camden's final run came in the third inning on singles by Bauer and Gannon and a sacrifice fly by Carr.
 
The Red Dragons collected 19 hits in the game, including three apiece by Cardello and freshman catcher Kayla Kean. Cardello also had four RBIs and scored two runs.
 
Senior pitcher Anna Torgersen hurled a five-inning complete game, allowing four hits, three walks and three runs, only one of which was earned. She struck out three.
 
Gannon went 2-for-3 with one run scored to account for half of the Raptors' hits.