PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Columbia downed the Rutgers baseball team, 9-1, Tuesday afternoon at Bainton Field in Piscataway, N.J. The loss snapped a five-game winning streak for the Scarlet Knights (12-17) over the Lions (7-21), dating back to 2003.
Columbia designated hitter Anthony Potter gave the Lions the early lead with a two-run single to left field in the second inning. The Lions capitalized on a fielding error by the Scarlet Knights and strung together a pair of doubles for a two-out rally in the third to score two more runs and extend their lead to 4-0.
RU plated its run in the bottom of the third when Michael Lang (Dumont, N.J.) followed a one-out single from Dan Perrine (Scotch Plains, N.J.) with a double down the left-field line to put both runners in scoring position and Jaren Matthews (Teaneck, N.J.) got Perrine home on a groundout to the shortstop. The Scarlet Knights put runners on the corners with two outs later in the inning on a Dan Betteridge (Sewell, N.J.) walk, but Betteridge was tagged out while trying to steal second to end the frame.
After giving up a run on a pair of singles in the fourth, Rutgers starter Kyle Bradley (Howell, N.J.) was relieved by Dennis Hill (Hillsdale, N.J.), making his first appearance in nearly three weeks. Hill retired three of the four batters he faced in the frame, while surrendering a second run in the inning on a well-executed bunt.
Down 6-1, Rutgers had its biggest threat to score additional runs in the bottom half of the fourth. Singles from Jarred Jimenez (Monroe, N.J.) and Pat Biserta (Point Pleasant, N.J.) put two runners on to open the inning and a five-pitch walk to Russ Hopkins (Piscataway, N.J.) loaded the bases with one out. RU went to its bench for pinch hitter Jayson Hernandez (Belmar, N.J.) and the Scarlet Knight nearly delivered, hitting a line drive that seemed headed for right field but Columbia second baseman Jon Eisen made a nice grab for the out to hold the runners at bay. Lions’ starter Zach Epstein then got Perrine to fly out to center field end the frame unscathed.
Columbia added a run in the fifth and two scores off newly-inserted reliever Sean Peterson (Wall, N.J.) in the sixth to build the 9-1 advantage.
Harrison Slutsky combined with fellow relievers Max Lautmann and Derek Squires to hold the Scarlet Knights scoreless over the final six innings and earn the victory.
Slutsky (2-1) recorded the win with two innings of scoreless relief. Epstein, the Lions’ starter, allowed a run on five hits and struck out two but pitched only four innings, one short of the required minimum to earn the decision. Bradley (2-2) took the loss with three earned runs (six total) on six hits and a strikeout in three innings of work.
Lang recorded one hit on the day which extended his hitting streak to nine games. He had his streak of four consecutive games with multiple hits snapped.
The game wrapped up a five-game stretch for Rutgers against New York Teams. RU also played a single game at Wagner last Tuesday and three games at St. John’s over the weekend.
The loss was only the fifth for Rutgers in the 25-game all-time series with Columbia.
Rutgers will open a three-game series with Connecticut with a 3:00 p.m. game Thursday at Bainton Field.
