BUIES CREEK – Campbell opened the 2023 season with an 11-5 win over Rutgers Friday night at Jim Perry Stadium. Eleven runs are the most by Campbell on Opening Day since 2017.
 
Preseason Big South Pitcher of the Year Cade Kuehler earned the win on the bump, 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 3-3 with two doubles, a triple, and four RBIs in his Campbell debut at shortstop. Campbell collected five extra base hits on the night, and worked nine walks to stay busy on the bases.
 
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 plenty of 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 RBI.
 
Three pitchers made their Campbell debuts in the opener. Jeremy Wiegman tossed two innings allowing two runs, and Griffin Parrill and Jackson Roberts each pitched an inning. All three newcomers struck out the first batter they faced, with Roberts striking out the side in the ninth.
 
All four Campbell pitchers combined to strike out 15 on the night.
 
The Fighting Camels and Scarlet Knights return to action tomorrow at 3 p.m. Chance Daquila is expected to get the start for Campbell. Tomorrow's game will only have an audio broadcast, available on GoCamels.com or on The Varsity Network App.