CNBNews

The Scarlet Raptors’ big inning featured four hits, two errors, an intentional walk and a passed ball as Rutgers-Camden broke open the game a half-inning after Hampden-Sydney tallied a run to tie the score at 4-4. The big rally made a winner of senior Adam Satanoff (Pitman, NJ/Pitman), who hurled 3-1/3 innings in relief of junior starter Ryan Farabella (Vineland, NJ/Buena Regional). It was the first Rutgers-Camden appearance for both pitchers, who transferred from Winston-Salem State and Camden County College, respectively.

The winning rally started with a pair of singles to open the eighth by junior rightfielder Adrian Gonzalez (Pennsauken, NJ/Pennsauken) and senior first baseman Dave Prager (Deptford, NJ/Deptford), placing runners at the corners. After a ground out held Gonzalez at third and advanced Prager to second, junior second baseman George Spingler (Gloucester City, NJ/Gloucester Catholic) was walked intentionally, bringing the infield in. Senior third baseman John Santilli (Folsom, NJ/St. Joseph-Hammonton) plated the go-ahead run when his grounder to second was misplayed for an error. The Tigers then proceeded to drop a foul pop up for another error, and sophomore catcher Nick Racobaldo (Williamstown, NJ/Williamstown) made them pay the price, lining a two-run single. One out later, a passed ball advanced Racobaldo to second base and scored Santilli. Senior centerfielder Albert Rivera (Matawan, NJ/Matawan Regional) capped the frame with a run-scoring single.

The comeback was a big way to start the season for the Scarlet Raptors, who were held to one hit over the first four innings by Hampden-Sydney senior starter Aaron Van Allen (Danville, VA/Tunstall). That hit was a two-out single in the top of the third by freshman shortstop Joe Sigismondi (Blackwood, NJ/Highland Regional).

The Tigers (2-6-1) scored quickly in the bottom of the first inning after a leadoff single and a stolen base by freshman second basemanJohn Lloyd (Glen Allen, VA/Deep Run). One out later, he scored on a single by junior centerfielder Andrew Tucker (Fincastle, VA/James River). Following another single to load the bases, the Raptors worked out of the jam by turning their first double play of the season, 4-6-3.

Hampden-Sydney made it a 2-0 game in the bottom of the fourth. Senior shortstop Beau Flinchum (Ashland, VA/Hanover) had a leadoff double, advanced on a grounder to the right side and scored on a two-out single by senior leftfielder Patrick Kuhns (Stafford, VA/North Stafford).

After the slow start to the season, the Scarlet Raptors’ offense came to life in the fifth. Sophomore designated hitter Connor Hall (Delran, NJ/Delran) drew a leadoff walk, Spingler singled and Santilli loaded the bases with a bunt single, his 86th career hit as he inched closer to the career 100-hit milestone. A passed ball scored sophomore Wayne Feret (Burlington, NJ/Burlington Township), who was running for Hall, and after a walk to senior catcher Shaune Collins (Cherry Hill, NJ/Cherry Hill East) reloaded the bases, Sigismondi plated Spingler with the tying run on a fielder’s choice.

The Raptors added two more in the sixth inning when Gonzalez singled and scored on a double by Prager, who was retired trying to stretch it into a triple. Senior Donnie Haines (Carneys Point, NJ/Penns Grove)was inserted into the DH spot and ripped the Scarlet Raptors’ first home run of the season, making it a 4-2 game.

Hampden-Sydney bounced back with single runs in the sixth and seventh, however, to set the stage for the Scarlet Raptors’ decisive eighth inning.

Gonzalez and Prager both went 2-for-4 for the Raptors, with Gonzalez scoring twice and Prager adding one run and one RBI. Racobaldo had two RBIs and one run, while Haines and Santilli both had one hit, one run and one RBI.

Satanoff allowed three hits and two runs (one earned) in 3.1 innings of relief. He walked three and fanned two.

Rutgers-Camden returns to action in the Ty Cobb Classic on Saturday when it faces Moravian College at 11 a.m.