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Camels to host Rutgers on Opening Day

BUIES CREEK - The reigning Big South champions return to the diamond for one final season in the conference when Campbell hosts Rutgers this weekend to kick off the 2023 campaign. The Camels will look to defend both the Big South regular season and tournament title as they search for a fifth straight NCAA tournament appearance. 

Friday and Sunday's action will be streamed on ESPN+. Saturday will only have a radio call, available on The Varsity Network app or GoCamels.com. 

Weekend Schedule/Probable Starters
Friday Feb. 17 - 5 p.m. - ESPN+
Campbell: Cade Kuehler, Jr., RHP
Rutgers: Drew Conover, Jr., RHP

Saturday Feb. 18 - 3 p.m. - The Varsity Network App
Campbell: Chance Daquila, R-Jr., RHP
Rutgers: Christian Coppola, Fr., RHP

Sunday Feb. 19 - 12 p.m. - ESPN+
Campbell: Cade Boxrucker, Jr., RHP
Rutgers: Jake Marshall, Jr., RHP

Big South Picks
Campbell was picked to win the Big South in the preseason coaches poll for the fourth straight season. The Camels received six of the 10 first place votes. Drake Piersonw as voted Preseason Player of the Year after a breakout 2022 campaign, hitting .333 with 19 home runs and 18 stolen bases. Cade Kuehler was picked Preseason Pitcher of the Year after setting a program record with 111 strikeouts last season and striking out 10+ in six starts. 

Know Your Opponent
Rutgers posted a 44-15, 17-7 record a year ago, but fell to Michigan in the Big10 championship game and was left out of the NCAA Tournament come Selection Monday. The Scarlet Knights had a potent offense all season, leading the nation in scoring at 9.6 runs/game while hitting .320 as a team (third in the country). 

That offense begins with Ryan Lasko, a junior outfielder that hit .349 with 16 HR a season ago. Lasko was named a Golden Spikes semifinalist a year ago, and earned a handful of preseason all-America nods ahead of 2023.

The Scarlet Knights are led by head coach Steve Owens, who is in his fourth year at Rutgers. 

Series History
This will be the first-ever meeting between Campbell and Rutgers. Campbell is 15-20 all-time against the other current members of the Big10. 

Last Time Out
Campbell went 1-2 in the Knoxville Regional to conclude the 2022 season. Campbell topped Georgia Tech in the first game before falling to No. 1 Tennessee, and dropping the rematch with GT. 

Returning Star Power
Campbell returns six players that earned all-conference recognition in 2022. Tyler Halstead, Drake Pierson, and Jarrod Belbin were all first-team selections, with second-team selections Cade Kuehler, Logan Jordan, and Ty Cummings all back as well. 

Haire Chasing Coaching Record
Justin Haire begins his ninth season at the helm for the Fighting Camels. With 243 career wins, Haire is 24 behind Chip Smith for winningest coach in program history. Another 35 win season would also vault Haire to the winningest coach by win percentage. Haire was named Big South Coach of the Year for the third time last season (2018, 2021, 2022) as he guided Campbell to a fourth straight NCAA Tournament by sweeping the Big South regular season and tournament titles for the third time in his career. 

Counting Kuehler's Accolades
Cade Kuehler accrued a handful of preseason accolades for this season. The junior was named a preseason all-American by Baseball America (second team) D1Baseball (third team) and Perfect Game (third team). He was also tabbed the Big South Preseason Pitcher of the Year. He was also tabbed the No. 13 starting pitcher in the nation by D1Baseball. All of those accolades add up to make him the most decorated pitcher in a preseason in Campbell history.

Gameday Policies
Gates will open one hour prior to first pitch. Campbell's clear bag policy will be in effect. Parking is free and available at Jim Perry Stadium and beyond right field at Gore Arena.

Keep up with the Camels
Follow @GoCamelsBSB all season on all social media for the latest updates and team content. 
 
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Players Mentioned

Jarrod Belbin

#24 Jarrod Belbin

INF
6' 2"
Redshirt Senior
Cade Boxrucker

#5 Cade Boxrucker

RHP
6' 2"
Junior
Ty Cummings

#13 Ty Cummings

RHP
6' 2"
Junior
Tyler Halstead

#14 Tyler Halstead

OF
6' 0"
Redshirt Senior
Logan Jordan

#21 Logan Jordan

OF
6' 3"
Redshirt Junior
Cade Kuehler

#17 Cade Kuehler

RHP
6' 0"
Junior
Drake Pierson

#6 Drake Pierson

INF
6' 0"
Redshirt Senior
Chance Daquila

#19 Chance Daquila

RHP
6' 3"
Redshirt Junior

Players Mentioned

Jarrod Belbin

#24 Jarrod Belbin

6' 2"
Redshirt Senior
INF
Cade Boxrucker

#5 Cade Boxrucker

6' 2"
Junior
RHP
Ty Cummings

#13 Ty Cummings

6' 2"
Junior
RHP
Tyler Halstead

#14 Tyler Halstead

6' 0"
Redshirt Senior
OF
Logan Jordan

#21 Logan Jordan

6' 3"
Redshirt Junior
OF
Cade Kuehler

#17 Cade Kuehler

6' 0"
Junior
RHP
Drake Pierson

#6 Drake Pierson

6' 0"
Redshirt Senior
INF
Chance Daquila

#19 Chance Daquila

6' 3"
Redshirt Junior
RHP