PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers baseball came up one run short against Princeton, 6-5, Wednesday at Bainton Field. It was the first meeting between the New Jersey programs since 2012.
 
Junior Nick Matera collected three RBIs on two hits to lead the RU (13-9) offensive attack, while classmates Jawuan Harris and Carmen Sclafani also doubled and singled. In addition, senior Kyle Walker extended his hitting streak to 17 games in the seventh inning and freshman Mike Nyisztor scored three times.
 
On the mound, sophomore Eric Reardon did not allow an earned run in 4.1 innings, his longest start yet. The Scarlet Knights received 1.2 scoreless from redshirt junior Ryan Wares and two scoreless from junior Serafino Brito out of the bullpen.
 
After sophomore second baseman Kevin Welsh made a ranging play to rob a hit and leave the bases loaded in the top of the third, the Scarlet Knights broke through for a run in the bottom half. Nyisztor drew a walk and stole second with one out. Then two batters later, Matera lined a two-out RBI single to right-center for the first run of the game. Reardon followed up with a perfect fourth.
 
However, the Tigers (3-10) tied the game in the fifth on a grounder before Conor Nolan lifted a three-run homer to take the lead.
 
RU responded quickly to the three-run deficit by rallying for three in the bottom of the fifth. Nyisztor and Harris started with singles to put two on, with Matera next lifting a two-run double to make it a one-run game. He advanced to third on an error and scored on an RBI grounder hit by fifth-year senior Chris Folinusz to tie the game at four.
 
In the sixth, Princeton plated the go-ahead run on a bases-loaded walk and added another on a fielder's choice. Rutgers took one back right after when Nyisztor walked and came around on a double from Harris.
 
The Scarlet Knight threatened to tie the game in the seventh with bases loaded and no outs, but Eli Kimbell entered in relief and picked up two strikeouts and a groundout to escape. He went on to toss a perfect eighth and ninth to finish off a three-inning save, his second of the season. Kevin Thomsen (1-0) was credited with the win and Jacob Kodros (0-1) took the loss.
 
Rutgers will look to bounce back this weekend in a three-game series at Michigan State. The opener is set for Friday at 3 p.m.
 
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