Camels top Rutgers, 11-5, in baseball season opener

by Dunn Area Sports Staff | Feb 18, 2023 | Campbell, News & Features

Tyler Halstead bunts for a single in the sixth inning for the Camels.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Paul Burgett)

BUIES CREEK – Campbell opened the 2023 baseball season with an 11-5 win over Rutgers on Friday night at Jim Perry Stadium.

Big South Conference Preseason Pitcher of the Year Cade Kuehler earned the win, tossing five innings allowing two runs and striking out eight. Drew Conover was tagged with the loss for Rutgers.

The Campbell bats got off to a hot start, led by Trenton Harris who reached five times going 3 for 3 with two doubles, a triple, and four RBIs in his Campbell debut at shortstop. Campbell collected five extra base hits and drew nine walks.

Campbell struck early on a two-run triple by Tyler Halstead in the first inning. That set the tone as Campbell would then score in each of the first four frames. Lawson Harrill provided the first home run of the season for the Camels with a two-run shot in the fourth to push the lead to 7-0.

After a pair of Scarlet Knight runs in the fifth, Harris added insurance with a three-run double in the sixth to put Campbell up 11-2.

The middle of the order featuring Halstead, Harrill, and Harris all collected three hits and combined for eight RBIs.

Three pitchers made their Campbell debuts in the opener. Jeremy Wiegman tossed two innings allowing two runs. Griffin Parrill and Jackson Roberts each pitched an inning. Roberts struc out the side in the ninth.

Four Campbell pitchers had 15 strikeouts.

The Camels and Scarlet Knights return to action Saturday at 3 p.m. Chance Daquila is expected to get the start for Campbell.

(Campbell media services provided the basis for this report)