Rutgers opened the weekend with a decisive 9‑3 victory over Western Carolina, improving to 5‑4 on the season and setting the tone for the upcoming Keith LeClair Classic.
Right‑hander Zack Konstantinovsky delivered a career‑best seven‑inning outing, surrendering just one hit while striking out six batters, a performance that anchored the Knights' pitching staff.
A power surge at the plate
The offensive onslaught was led by six different Knights who each sent a ball over the fence. Joey Erace smashed a two‑run shot in the second inning, marking his first career home run, while Yomar Carreras added a solo blast in the fourth. The fifth inning saw a flurry of long balls, with Peyton Bonds and Chase Krewson delivering back‑to‑back homers — a feat not seen by Rutgers since 2024. Trey Wells and Tristan Salinas capped the burst with solo and two‑run homers respectively in the seventh, underscoring the team's depth.
Western Carolina managed to chip away with three runs in the eighth, but the damage had already been done. The six home runs marked the most for the Scarlet Knights in a single game since 2022, a statistic that highlights the explosive nature of the lineup.
Looking ahead, Rutgers will travel to face Troy in the next round of the Keith LeClair Classic, a matchup that promises another test for a pitching staff that continues to tighten its grip on the competition.