Knights Take Game One Behind Bullpen
Oct 15 | Baseball
PISCATAWAY, N.J. - In a clean opening game of the Rutgers Fall World Series, the Knights rallied for three runs in the fourth inning and held on to earn a 3-2 victory Thursday at Bainton Field. The game started the best-of-five set.
Redshirt junior Max Herrmann (Rutherford, N.J.) and freshman Kevin Romero (Garfield, N.J.) combined for four scoreless innings of relief to collect co-MVP honors. The duo permitted a combined three baserunners in their outings. Senior Reed Shuttle (Lansdale, N.J.) (1-0) picked up the win with two runs allowed over three innings.
The Scarlet struck first in the bottom of the second with a pair of runs. Sophomore Kyle Walker (Piscataway, N.J.) drew a base on balls and scored immediately on a triple by junior Gaby Rosa (Perth Amboy, N.J.). Fifth-year senior John Jennings (Berkeley Heights, N.J.) then put the ball in play for an RBI groundout to make it 2-0.
After senior Howie Brey (Middletown, N.J.) tossed three shutout innings with five strikeouts, the Knights would overcome that deficit with a three-run rally in the fourth against the bullpen. Fifth-year senior Chris Suseck (Flemington, N.J.) started with a walk and moved up on a single by junior Tom Marcinczyk (Middlesex, N.J.). Sophomore Milo Freeman (Millburn, N.J.) next struck for an RBI single to cut it to 2-1. Following an out, freshman Serafino Brito (Oakland, N.J.) tied the game with a single. Freshman Tyler McNamara (East Brunswick, N.J.) loaded the bases with the fourth hit of the inning, as freshman Mike Martinez (West New York, N.Y.) plated the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly.
From there, Herrmann worked around a leadoff single by redshirt Anthony Santoro (Manalapan, N.J.) in the fifth by striking out the side. Romero followed up by pitching a perfect sixth and stranding the tying run at third in the seventh to collect the save.
Patrick Knight (Cranford, N.J.) tossed one scoreless inning in relief to keep the Scarlet within striking distance. No fielding errors were made defensively both ways.
Game two of the series is Friday at 9 a.m.
2015 Rutgers Baseball Fall World Series
Game 1: Knights, 3-2 (MVP: Max Herrmann & Kevin Romero)
Game 2: 10/16, 9 a.m.
Game 3: 10/19, 9 a.m.
Game 4: 10/21, TBA*
Game 5: 10/23, TBA*
* - if necessary
Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding baseball, follow the program on Twitter @baseballRU and Tumblr.
