Absegami Alum Starts Strong as Pitcher With Rutgers-Camden Baseball Team

Absegami High School alum John Waters is undefeated over the first month of the college baseball season, going 3-0, pitching a complete game, and earning two Rookie of the Week awards.

He made his debut as the Rutgers University-Camden pitcher in the Scarlet Raptors’ baseball game on Sunday, Feb. 24, in a 4-3 win over SUNY-New Peltz. He was declared the winner in that game, pitching in relief. He threw 2 2/3 innings of no-hit baseball, striking out three batters, giving up two walks and allowing one unearned run, according to the college.

First, he was recognized as the New Jersey Athletic Conference Rookie Pitcher of the Week on Feb. 25. Two days later, he was named the New Jersey Collegiate Baseball Association (NJCBA) Division II/III Rookie Pitcher of the Week.

He picked up his next two wins over a six-day span since last Wednesday, March 20, when he threw a complete game in an 11-2 win over Bowdoin. He gave up eight hits and two earned runs, and walked one batter. He pitched seven innings of the game that was ended by the mercy rule.

On March 26, he pitched seven more innings in an 8-4 win over FDU-Florham. He allowed seven hits and three earned runs, struck out four and walked one.

For the season, Waters has started two games and made five appearances, pitching 18.1 innings. He’s allowed 17 hits and six runs, five of which were earned runs. He’s struck out eight batters and walked six, according to statistics on the college's website. 

Absegami alumnus Anthony Soyer is a sophomore pitcher on the team. He’s pitched four innings this season, with two strikeouts and one walk. Absegami Anthony Ardente is a freshman pitcher with the Scarlet Raptors. He has yet to make an appearance this season.

The Scarlet Raptors are 12-7 this season, and return to action on Saturday, March 30 for a doubleheader against Kean University. They visit the Richard Stockton College of New Jersey for an NJAC game in Galloway on Friday, March 19.