Box Score

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Freshman John O'Reilly (Northvale, N.J.) pitched 5.2 effective innings and the offense collected a season-high 13 hits as Rutgers baseball defeated Iona, 12-3, Wednesday in its home opener at Bainton Field. The Scarlet Knights have now won their past 14 home games dating back to last season, the second longest active streak in the nation.

RU (2-9) earned its seventh consecutive victory in a home opener. The Gaels fell to 3-11 overall for the season.

Making his first start and only second appearance, O'Reilly (1-0) worked into the sixth to pick up his first collegiate victory. The right-hander struck out six and permitted three runs and six hits in the 81-pitch outing. He retired 12 straight hitters during one stretch of the performance.

The bullpen was just as sharp with freshman Ryan Wares (Howell, N.J.) stranding two inherited runners in the sixth and sitting down the last seven hitters faced. He struck out three. Junior David Yakopec (Pittsburgh, Pa.) worked a scoreless ninth inning to seal the victory.

All nine starting hitters reached base with eight registering at least a single. Sophomore Mike Carter (Bloomfield, N.J.) and senior Vinny Zarrillo (Forked River, N.J.) each drove in three runs, while junior Chris Suseck (Flemington, N.J.) knocked in a pair. Those three also led the Scarlet Knights with two hits on the day. In addition, RU stole a season-best four bases with junior R.J. Devish (Beachwood, N.J.) swiping two. Devish and sophomore Tom Marcinczyk (Middlesex, N.J.) both scored two runs.

After Iona started the game with a pair of doubles in the top of the first to go up 1-0, O'Reilly surrendered a one-out triple in the second. However, the freshman escaped the jam with a pair of strikeouts to swing the momentum. Immediately after, Rutgers sent eight batters to the plate to score four times on four hits.

The second-inning rally started on an infield single by Marcinczyk, who moved into scoring position when sophomore Christian Campbell (Sayreville, N.J.) was hit by a pitch. Senior Joe D'Annunzio (Scotch Plains, N.J.) advanced both up one base on a sacrifice bunt. Next up, Suseck laced a two-run double inside the third base line to give RU the lead. He then stole third and scored on an RBI error by Devish. Devish ended up coming around on a sacrifice fly by Carter.

The lead grew to 7-0 after three innings. Zarrillo singled and stole second to put the inning in motion, as Marcinczyk walked. Campbell continued the rally with a sacrifice bunt. D'Annunzio then stepped up and roped a two-run single up the middle and ended up at third after an error. He scored on another error unearned.

Iona chipped back with two in the sixth, but RU responded with two of its own in the bottom of the frame. Devish singled through the right side, stole second and moved up to third when junior John Jennings (Berkeley Heights, N.J.) reached on a dropped fly ball. Carter brought both home on a ground-rule double to left.

The Scarlet Knights ended the scoring on a three-run triple by Zarrillo in the seventh. Freshman Milo Freeman (Millburn, N.J.), Carter and sophomore Chris Folinusz (Cranford, N.J.) had all previously reached base and came in on Zarrillo's two-out hit.

RU played errorless baseball in the field for the fourth time this season.

Starter Joe DeRosa (0-1) took the loss for the visiting Gaels with five earned runs allowed. The Scarlet Knights now lead the all-time series over Iona, 25-5.

Rutgers will next head out to Indiana State to play four games against three opponents to start a spring break trip. The first contest is scheduled for Friday at noon versus Central Michigan.



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), Instagram (@rutgersbaseball) and Tumblr.