PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers baseball will play its annual series against Old Dominion starting Friday at the Metheny Complex. The Scarlet Knights and Monarchs have met on the diamond every season since 1997, with each taking place in Norfolk, Virginia, except for the 2015 set that was moved to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, due to inclement weather in 2015. Each contest this weekend will be available to watch online through CUSA.tv.
 
The Scarlet Knights return to the road after winning their home opener Tuesday at Bainton Field over Wagner, 11-4. It was the 10^th consecutive season RU won its first game at home, using a four-run rally in the first inning to pull ahead. Junior Jawuan Harris filled up the box score with a 4-for-5 performance, clubbing his 12^th career home run to go a double and two singles to finish with four RBIs. Classmate Carmen Sclafani also ended up one away from the cycle, as the third baseman just missed the home run after a three-hit day. On the mound, sophomore Kyle Gerace picked up his first career victory in his initial start by permitted just two earned runs over five innings. Four relievers wrapped up the game.
 
That victory followed a 1-2 showing at the Snowbird Classic in Port Charlotte, Florida. Rutgers captured a victory against St. Bonaventure, also taking the finale at then-No. 9 Miami for its first triumph. Annually playing one of the nation's toughest early-season schedules, the team has three wins entering March for the first time since 2012.
 
For the season, junior Kyle Walker leads the team with a 1.327 OPS (.727 slugging, .600 on-base), while sophomore Kevin Welsh and Harris each have 10 hits. Welsh has hit safely in each game for a seven-game hitting streak. Harris also paces the lineup with nine RBIs and six stolen bases, needing one more swipe to tie Mike Helman (1974-78) for third in school history at 66. Doug Along (1991-93) has the standard at 85 steals. In addition, redshirt freshman Dan DiGeorgio ranks tied for ninth among Big Ten players with nine runs scored so far.
 
Rutgers has 10 more runs compared to through seven games last season, also improved the team on-base percentage from .326 to .368 at the same point.
 
Senior John O'Reilly, who will be facing ODU for the third time, will make the series-opening start once again and will be followed by freshmen left-handers Harry Rutkowski and Eric Heatter. Rutkowski collected his first collegiate win last Saturday by tossing five innings with two earned runs allowed versus the Bonnies. Heatter left in line to win after working six frames against Boston College, as the rookie has permitted just three earned runs in his first 10 innings with 10 strikeouts.
 
THE OPPONENT
Old Dominion took a 10-3 loss on Wednesday evening at No. 18 East Carolina after winning the finale of its three-game set at home versus Kansas State. ODU also owns a victory over St. Louis. Offensively, Culver Lamb has started 14-for-34 with two homers, while Will Morgan has blasted three long balls to total seven RBIs. Jim Fluke will take the ball on the mound to open the weekend for his third start of the year. The staff has pitched to a 6.14 ERA through eight games.
 
Rutgers leads the all-time series, 35-25, but Old Dominion claimed 2-of-3 last season. The Scarlet Knights combined for 15 hits in the 8-5 opening win, including a two-out RBI single to break a tie in the seventh inning by Milo Freeman. O'Reilly went 6.2 innings for the victory. He also went six frames with two runs permitted versus the Monarchs in 2016.
 
UP NEXT
The Scarlet Knights will host Iona on Tuesday at Bainton Field before returning to Florida next weekend to start the spring break trip. The will include three with Army in Fort Myers, one against FIU in Port Charlotte and a trifecta of games at Florida Gulf Coast.
 
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