PISCATAWAY, N.J. (May 7, 2013) - Playing against in-state opponent Saint Peter's, Rutgers baseball suffered a 10-4 defeat Tuesday at Bainton Field. It was the first meeting between the programs since 2006.

Senior Jeff Melillo (Annandale, N.J.) picked up three hits, but the offense could only manage one run after scoring three in the first. Junior Nick Favatella (Washington Township, N.J.) also reached base three times on a triple and two walks.

Left-hander Adam Purcilly (2-2) earned the win for Saint Peter's after pitching seven innings, as sophomore Jon Young (Old Bridge, N.J.) (2-1) suffered his first loss of the year. Senior Sam Hasty (Brooklyn, N.Y.) kept RU within striking distance by working a career-long three innings in relief.

After the Peacocks (15-30) scored two in the top of the first on a one-out single by Robert Moore, the Scarlet Knights (22-26) answered with three runs on four hits in the bottom half. Favatella connected for his fifth triple of the season to start and came in on a wild pitch. Sophomore Vinny Zarrillo (Forked River, N.J.) continued the rally with a single and stolen base, scoring on a double by Melillo. After senior Steve Zavala (Randolph, N.J.) was hit by a pitch, senior Charlie Law (Mainland, N.J.) found a hole in the left side of the infield to drive in Melillo.

In the third, Saint Peter's scored three unearned runs off of two RU errors. Sophomore Charlie Lasky (Freehold, N.J.) prevented further trouble by stranding two runners on with a strikeout. The Peacocks added another run in the fourth to up their advantage to 6-3 and four in the eighth to open up the game.

Rutgers recorded the final run of the game on a sacrifice fly by Zarrillo in the ninth. The Scarlet Knights were doomed by four errors in the field and nine runners left on base on the day.

Moore led all players with four hits and four RBIs, while Matt Speckmann and Jon Kristoffersen both collected three knocks. The Scarlet Knights had won their previous 11 games over the Peacocks.

RU will continue its season-long eight-game homestand with a 1 p.m. doubleheader against Georgetown Saturday at Bainton Field.

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