Box Score

NORFOLK, Va. - Freshman Nick Matera (Roxbury, N.J.) crushed his first career home run, but Rutgers baseball fell victim to a big inning by Old Dominion in a 7-4 loss Saturday at the Bud Metheny Complex. It was the second game of a doubleheader.

The Scarlet Knights (3-6) built a 4-1 lead after four innings, with Matera blasting a long ball over the wall in the second inning for the first run of the game. After ODU tied it, RU added one in the third when senior R.J. Devish (Beachwood, N.J.) and fifth-year senior Chris Suseck (Flemington, N.J.) both singled to start, with Devish eventually scoring on an RBI single by junior Tom Marcinczyk (Middlesex, N.J.).

Two more came across in the fourth inning. With two down, freshmen Mike Martinez (West New York, N.J.) and Jawuan Harris (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) both reached and executed a double steal to put two in scoring position. Devish then stepped in and delivered a two-run single to center.

However, the Monarchs (9-1) rallied for five runs on four hits and one error in the fifth to claim a 6-4 advantage. The hosts would then tack on one more for insurance in the sixth.

Rutgers put runners on in the latter innings, but fell short in a comeback, as Culver Lamb pitched the last three frames for the save. Thomas Busbice (1-0) was credited the win out of the bullpen.

Freshman Kevin Romero (Garfield, N.J.) struck out three in two innings of scoreless relief to keep the Scarlet Knights within striking distance late. Redshirt junior Kyle Driscoll (Toms River, N.J.) (0-2) took the loss in a 4.1-inning start.

RU will look to salvage the series finale set for Sunday at 1 p.m. Sophomore John O'Reilly (Northvale, N.J.) is slated to make the start on the mound.

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