PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Junior Nick Matera connected for a two-out, two-run double to tie the game in the top of the eighth inning, but No. 17 Indiana plated a run in the bottom half to win, 7-6, in a non-conference matchup at North Charlotte Regional Park on Friday. The Scarlet Knights, who erased a three-run deficit in the defeat, have started the season with four consecutive games against a ranked opponent.
 
Matera reached base three times in the game, adding a single and a walk. Junior Luke Bowerbank also had a multiple-hit day, as Rutgers (1-3) saw nine different players find the hit column. In addition, senior Kyle Walker reached twice on an RBI single and a walk, while redshirt freshman Dan DiGeorgio scored twice.
 
On the mound, senior John O'Reilly went 4.1 innings in a start before handing the ball over to sophomore Eric Reardon, who posted 1.2 scoreless frames with two strikeouts. Redshirt junior Ryan Wares struck out two and was not charged with a run in one inning out of the bullpen.
 
Down 6-4 entering the eighth, junior Carmen Sclafani hit a leadoff single before being forced out on a bunt attempt by DiGeorgio. Freshman Mike Nyisztor then grounded a ball to third base that the first baseman left the base, leaving the situation at runners at first and third. Following a strikeout, Matera stepped up by drilling a two-run double to right-center that chased Nyisztor in all the way from first base.
 
However, the Hoosiers (4-1) scored a run without a hit in the bottom of the eighth, bringing home the go-ahead run on a walk with the bases loaded. Cal Krueger (3-0) picked up the last three outs to claim the win. Sophomore Tevin Murray (0-1) took the loss.
 
Indiana scored first with a run in their first at bat, but the Scarlet Knights quickly tied the game in the next half inning. Junior Mike Martinez drew a walk and Bowerbank and sophomore Kevin Welsh both singled to load the bases for Walker, who connected for an RBI single. However, RU left the bases loaded and IU scored the next three runs to take a 4-1 advantage. Both teams would combine to strand 22 runners on base in the game.
 
Rutgers chipped back with an unearned tally in the fourth, but returned the score in the bottom half on an error. Reardon entered the game with two on and one out in the fifth, picking up a strikeout and groundball to strand the two inherited runners.
 
That led to a two-out rally in the sixth. Walker drew a walk to start and moved up on a single by DiGeorgio that forced a pitching change. Nyisztor next eyed four consecutive balls and junior Jawuan Harris took two more to coerce another change in the middle of the at bat. The outfielder would promptly rip a two-run single through the left side to cut the deficit to one.
 
Indiana would add another in the seventh before Matera delivered the game-tying double one inning later.
 
The Scarlet Knights will next take on St. Bonaventure Saturday at 1 p.m. The game will take place at South Charlotte Regional Park.
 
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