PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers baseball rallied back to push No. 11 Minnesota late, but ultimately fell 5-3 in the second game of the series Friday at Bainton Field. The Scarlet Knights honored their seniors in a ceremony after the game. All seven earned academic all-conference honors during their careers and the group included Karl Blum, Chris Folinusz, Milo Freeman, AJ Gallagher, John O'Reilly, Kyle Walker and Ryan Wares.
 
Walker crushed his fourth career home run in the seventh inning to highlight the RU (25-25, 7-16) offensive production. It was just down the line in right field, similar to the location of his memorable walk-off long ball against Ohio State as a freshman in 2015. Redshirt freshman Dan DiGeorgio also drew two walks from the leadoff spot in the order.
 
On the mound, junior Serafino Brito (1-2) made his first start since the opening weekend at Miami and went a season-high six innings with two runs allowed. The right-hander picked up 11 outs in the air and sat down the first six batters faced. Redshirt sophomore Tommy Genuario worked two scoreless innings from the bullpen, while sophomore Tevin Murray struck out two in a shutout ninth. The staff held the league's top hitting team to eight hits.
 
Minnesota (37-13, 18-4), who clinched the outright Big Ten championship with the victory, struck first with single runs in the third and fourth. The score would stay 2-0 until the sixth when Rutgers broke through. DiGeorgio took ball four with two outs and freshman Mike Nyisztor laid down a bunt single that was thrown away to allow an unearned run to score.
 
However, the Golden Gophers answered with three runs in the top of the seventh to open up a 5-1 lead. Walker, though, cut the deficit in half. Senior Milo Freeman previously lined a single before the two-run shot cleared the wall.
 
The Scarlet Knights put two on in the eighth with one out, but Max Meyer came on for the visitors to induce a double play. He would deal a perfect ninth for his 14^th save. Patrick Fredrickson (8-0) was credited with the win after pitching 6.1 innings.
 
Rutgers will close out the season Saturday in the series finale at noon.

Murray rings up two strikeouts to finish a scoreless ninth!

5-3 MINN B9 pic.twitter.com/tjD8EwPngx

— Rutgers Baseball (@RutgersBaseball) May 18, 2018

SEE YA! Walker crushes a two-run homer down the right field line. The senior with his second long ball of the season.

5-3 MINN B7 pic.twitter.com/JpWGVesZFJ

— Rutgers Baseball (@RutgersBaseball) May 18, 2018

On the board! Nyisztor lays down a bunt & the ball is thrown away to allow DiGeorgio to score from first.

2-1 MINN B6 pic.twitter.com/Wnq4tQey2p

— Rutgers Baseball (@RutgersBaseball) May 18, 2018

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