PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers baseball released its 2022 schedule on Friday. The 56-game slate features a spring break trip to face Hawaii, eight Big Ten series and 24 games at Bainton Field.
 
"After a very challenging conference-only schedule in 2021, we are excited to be able to return to playing a full slate of games, including quality out-of-conference midweek and weekend contests," head coach Steve Owens said. "We look to build on last season's success and take another step forward with our program. Our current attendance policy is not restricted, and we invite our loyal fans to come out, support the team and enjoy some excellent play."
 
The Scarlet Knights open with a trip to Texas to take on Houston Baptist in a three-game series. The next two weekends include games against Coastal Carolina, North Carolina-Wilmington, Middle Tennessee, VCU, Richmond and William & Mary in pod formats in the Carolinas and Virginia.
 
The first trip in program history to Hawaii is a four-game series versus the Rainbow Warriors starting March 11. The second part of spring break is a three-game set at Nebraska-Omaha.
 
The home opener at Bainton Field is scheduled for March 8 against Wagner. Other local opponents in midweek action throughout the season include Saint Joseph's, Rider, NJIT, Saint Peter's, Monmouth, Lafayette, Penn, Iona, Princeton, Hofstra and Seton Hall. The Scarlet Knights will also match up in a May series at home versus Bowling Green during the open Big Ten weekend.
 
Big Ten play starts March 25 on the road at Penn State, with other away league series at Nebraska, Ohio State and Michigan. The four home conference weekends are versus Minnesota, Indiana, Iowa and Maryland.
 
The top eight in the standings qualify for the Big Ten Tournament, set to be held May 25-29 at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha.
 
Playing a 44-game schedule all within the Big Ten in 2021 amidst a pandemic, the Scarlet Knights earned their best placement (eighth) and winning percentage (.477) in Big Ten play since joining the conference. That included winning six series, a 7-5 mark against NCAA Regional qualifiers and at least one victory over each team in the league. In addition, RU led the conference in road wins (13).
 
The campaign was highlighted by a five-game winning streak over ranked Michigan and Nebraska, all on the road. Rutgers was the only team in the Big Ten to win a series over league champion Nebraska. Through 24 games, a standard Big Ten season, RU set Big Ten team season records in wins (12), runs (141), homers (35), total bases (356), slugging percentage (.430), on-base percentage (.353), strikeouts recorded (196), least walks allowed (72), batting average against (.254) and saves (7).
 
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