The Redlegs opened up the 2025 season on a high note, defeating the Springfield Angels 8-3 at Schoolhouse Park last weekend. Juan Espinosa showed no signs of rust or jitters in his first opening day start for Camden, as he cruised through 3 innings, whiffing 8 Angels hitters, walking none, and allowing just 1 hit. Ben Schooler picked up the win as he tossed 3 innings of relief, allowing just 1 earned run while striking out 3. Markus Neff picked up the save, adding 3 innings of scoreless work to finish off the game, striking out 2 in the process. Neff also led the offense, highlighted by a first inning 3-run blast, as he drove in 5 of Camden’s 8 runs on the day. Joey Watson added a double, Mike Hartman an RBI, and each Tyler Schrock, Max Ramsey, Ben Schooler, Matt Mattice, and Eric Jameson picked up hits in the win.

Camden started strong in the top of the 1st as Tyler Schrock started the game with a single, Ben Schooler later reached on an error, and then Markus Neff launched a 3-run homerun over the center field fence to give the Redlegs the 3-0 lead. Espinosa then struck out the side in the bottom of the 1st and 3rd, holding the Angels hitters at bay and preserving the lead through the 3rd inning.

The Angels were able to cut the lead to 2 in the top of the 4th, pushing 1 run across to make it a 3-1 game. Camden would extend their advantage just 2 innings later, scoring 3 more times in the top of the 6th. Ben Schooler singled to start the inning, followed by Evan Koogler getting hit by a pitch to put 2 runners on base. Markus Neff then singled to load the bases. Mike Hartman then drove home a run with a sacrifice fly to center field. A pair of Angels miscues then led to 2 runs for Camden, giving Camden the 6-1 advantage.

The Angels put the pressure on Camden’s defense in the bottom half of the 6th, plating two runs on a fielding error to cut the lead to 6-3.

The top of the 7th saw Camden score twice more to push the lead to 8-3. After a strikeout to start the inning, Tyler Schrock was hit by a pitch followed by a single from Max Ramsey. Evan Koogler later drew a walk to load the bases before Markus Neff was able to drive in his 5th run with a groundball fielders’ choice. The Angels made a throwing error on the play, allowing a 2nd run to score.

Markus Neff tossed 3 scoreless innings to close out the game and earn the save, striking out 2 and allowing a single hit. Camden turned a game ending 4-6-3 double play from Joey Watosn to Tyler Schrock, finishing to first basemen Roenick Whitney. Whitney made his MVABL and Redleg debut, going 0-2 and notching a walk.

Camden (1-0) will next take on the defending MVABL champion Dayton Wolves (1-0) on Sunday, April 27th at Howell Field in a double header. Game 1 will begin at 3:00pm.

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