EWING, N.J. (April 2, 2026) – The Rutgers University-Camden baseball team didn't start its comeback until the seventh inning here Thursday, but what a comeback it was for the Scarlet Raptors.
 
Trailing, 8-2, entering the top of the seventh inning, the Scarlet Raptors scored twice in the seventh inning, took the lead with a five-run eighth, and then were in the midst of an eight-run ninth inning before the game was called by darkness. When all was said and done, by NCAA rules, all stats counted to give the Raptors a 17-8 victory over The College of New Jersey in a New Jersey Athletic Conference game.
 
The win lifts the Scarlet Raptors to 11-10 overall and 3-0 in NJAC play, while TCNJ falls to 11-11 overall and 2-1 in the conference.
 
After the Scarlet Raptors scored a run in the top of the first inning, the Lions exploded for four runs in the second inning and added a pair of two-run innings after that. They led, 8-2, after four innings and carried that lead into the top of the seventh inning, when Rutgers-Camden started its rally.
 
With one out in the seventh inning, senior catcher Evan Carbone was hit by a pitch and junior left fielder Matt McAleer singled. Sophomore right fielder Gavin McCaffrey was hit by a pitch to load the bases and junior second baseman Austin Dubler walked to plate Carbone. Sophomore designated hitter Jake Slusarski followed with a sacrifice fly.
 
In the Raptors' five-run eighth inning, Rutgers-Camden took advantage of two hits, an error, a pair of walks, a hit batsman and a run-scoring wild pitch. After an error, a walk and a single by sophomore third baseman Will Gural loaded the bases,  Carbone plated a run with a walk and McCaffrey was hit by a pitch to force home another run. A third run scored on a wild pitch before Slusarski's two-run single capped the inning and put Rutgers-Camden ahead, 9-8.
 
The ninth inning was a disaster for the Lions and a bonanza for the Scarlet Raptors. Rutgers-Camden scored eight unearned runs on only one hit before the game was called with the bases loaded and no outs due to darkness. The frame started with three errors, and included four walks, three wild pitches and two hit batsmen. The lone hit was a bunt single by McAleer.
 
Overall, the Scarlet Raptors collected eight hits in their win, while using 12 walks, six hit batsmen and four wild pitches. McAleer had three of the Raptors' eight hits, while junior center fielder Jacob Watson had two. McCaffrey was hit by a pitch four times to set a new single-game program record.
 
Senior Dylan Oliver (1-1) picked up the win, working 3.1 shutout innings. He allowed one hit and one walk, while striking out one. Gavin Cunard, a senior academically who has junior eligibility, hurled a scoreless bottom of the eighth when the Raptors were clinging to a 9-8 lead. He collected his fourth save, allowing no hits and two walks.
 
Junior Jalen Maharaja (1-2), the fourth of six TCNJ pitchers, took the loss. He worked one inning, allowing four unearned runs and one hit. He struck out one.
 
Rutgers-Camden plays the back end of its home-and-home NJAC series on Friday when it hosts The College of New Jersey at 3:30 p.m. in Camden.