| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
| | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | X | 6 | 7 | 0 |
| Win-Sciretta (2-1) • Loss-Baxter (0-3) • Save-Scherzer (2) • T-2:56 • A-371 • English Field |
BLACKSBURG, Va. (March 19, 2014) -Rutgers baseball fell behind 5-0 in the first inning and could not recover, falling to Virginia Tech, 6-3, in midweek action at English Field. It was the first meeting between the former BIG EAST programs since 2004.
Senior Nick Favatella (Washington Township, N.J.) led the offense with two hits and a walk in five trips, while classmate Lou Clemente (Union, N.J.) drove in all three runs on a bases-clearing double in the third inning. The Scarlet Knights dropped to 1-7 in games where the opponent scored first.
On the mound, redshirt freshman Kevin Baxter (Waterford, N.J.) (0-3) worked through early troubles to pitch a season-long six innings despite taking the loss. The right-hander did not allow a run past the first inning and retired 12 of the last 13 batters he faced. Both freshman Ian Riddell (Millburn, N.J.) and senior Slater McCue (Radnor, Pa.) each provided an inning of scoreless relief.
The Hokies (10-8-1) jumped up to an early lead with five runs on four hits in the first. The rally featured three RBI doubles and three walks.
The Scarlet Knights (7-10) chipped back into the game on a three-run double with two outs by Clemente. Freshman Mike Carter (Bloomfield, N.J.), Favatella and senior Brian O'Grady (Warminster, Pa.) all walked to load the bases, as Clemente sent a 3-2 pitch into the right field corner to make the score 5-3.
However, that was all the scoring for the game for Rutgers, as Virginia Tech used eight different pitchers to mix and match. Phil Sciretta (2-1) was credited with the win, while Luke Scherzer worked around a leadoff walk in the ninth for his second save.
Alex Perez walked in the bottom of the eighth with the bases loaded to provide an insurance run for Virginia Tech.
Rutgers will next travel west to take on No. 7 Louisville in a three-game series to start American Athletic Conference play, beginning Friday. The Scarlet Knights won three games in four tries against the Cardinals last season.
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