Knights Win World Series
Oct 15 | Baseball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Sophomore shortstop Christian Campbell (Sayreville, N.J.) and redshirt freshman first baseman Jeff Anderson (Randolph, N.J.) each drove in three runs to help the Knights defeat the Scarlet, 9-4, to capture the deciding game seven of the Rutgers World Series Wednesday. The Knights won four of the final five games.
"It was a really good series," head coach Joe Litterio said. "Any time you can get two teams battling like they did and get it to a seventh game, you know we're doing things right."
The Knights, who fell to a 2-0 deficit to start the series, collected an impressive 12 hits in the series-clinching victory. Assistant coach Tim Reilly managed the Knights while pitching coach Casey Gaynor headed the Scarlet.
Campbell was named series MVP, reaching base three times and belting a two-run single in the fifth inning to secure the win for the Knights. In the series, Campbell collected five hits, five RBIs and scored five times to earn the honors. Anderson, who went 2-for-2 on the day with two doubles, three RBIs, two runs and two scoops at first, earned the game MVP for his efforts.
"It feels great getting the victory," Campbell said. "We were down 0-2 in the series, but I knew everyone on the team was doing whatever they could to win. It is great we pulled off the comeback."
Sophomore Gaby Rosa (Perth Amboy, N.J.) earned the win for the Knights, pitching three innings with one earned run on three hits. Rosa also produced three hits at the plate along with sophomore centerfielder Mike Carter (Bloomfield, N.J.). Junior Howie Brey (Middletown, N.J.) was saddled with the loss for the Scarlet.
The Knights crossed the plate early after a wild pitch by Brey in the bottom of the first inning, allowing Campbell to score. Junior catcher R.J. Devish (Beachwood, N.J.) then drove in Rosa on a groundout to make it 2-0 in favor of the Knights.
The Scarlet responded in the next half inning, with sophomore outfielder Tom Marcinczyk (Middlesex, N.J) crushing a solo shot to right field to make it 2-1 Knights.
The Knights continued their offensive production in the third thanks to Anderson, who ripped a bases-clearing, two RBI double to left center, making it 5-1 Knights
In the top of the fifth inning, the Scarlet threatened, loading the bases with no outs. But freshman Ryan Wares (Howell, N.J.) allowed just two runs as a result to exit the inning with a 6-3 lead.
Anderson extended the Knight's lead with another RBI double, this time driving in one with a crushed shot through the right center gap. Campbell then delivered a two-run single to plate Anderson and Carter, making it 9-3 Knights.
Senior Vinny Zarrillo (Forked River, N.J.) led the Scarlet with two hits.
2014 Rutgers Baseball Fall World Series (Knights win, 4-3; MVP: Christian Campbell)
Game 1: Scarlet, 6-4 (MVP: Sean Feeney)
Game 2: Scarlet, 9-0 (MVP: Howie Brey)
Game 3: Knights, 4-2 (MVP: Christian Campbell)
Game 4: Knights, 2-0 (MVP: Ryan Wares)
Game 5: Scarlet, 9-1 (MVP: Vinny Zarrillo)
Game 6: Knights, 5-2 (MVP: Jon Young)
Game 7: Knights, 9-4 (MVP: Jeff Anderson)
