Box Score

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Behind a pair of three-run homers and a career-high 4.2 innings of scoreless relief from freshman Eric Reardon, Rutgers baseball topped Wagner, 12-10, in a Tuesday slugfest at Bainton Field. Fifth-year senior Max Herrmann retired the final two hitters with the tying runs in scoring positon to earn the save.



Junior Kyle Walker had three hits, including his first homer of the season, to lead the team, while sophomore Nick Matera also blasted a three-run shot and collected four RBIs. Sophomores Mike Martinez and Carmen Sclafani added two hits apiece, as senior Tom Marcinczyk and freshman Kevin Welsh both reached three times. The Scarlet Knights (17-25) totaled 14 hits and reached double-digit runs for the ninth time this season.

Reardon (2-1) notched his second career win by not allowing a run over 4.2 innings out of the bullpen. The left-hander scattered three hits and struck out three. Following up, freshman Kyle Gerace struck out the side in the eighth. Then in the ninth, Herrmann induced two grounders with the tying runs on to strand the two inherited runners and register his sixth save of the season. He is now tied for second in school history with 82 appearances and third with 15 saves.

After Anthony Godino hit a two-run homer in the first to put Wagner (14-22) ahead, Rutgers came back with four runs in the bottom of the second. Junior Chris Folinusz and Matera both walked with one out, with Sclafani following with an RBI double to the left-field corner. Next up, Walker lifted a three-run homer to left field for his second career long ball.

However, the Seahawks responded with five runs on four hits in the third to take a 7-4 advantage. That would not last long, as the Scarlet Knights sent 11 to the plate to score six in the bottom of the inning. Marcinczyk (walk) and Folinusz (single) both reached to start, with Matera then drilling another three-run shot to tie the score. After two were retired, Welsh walked to prolong the inning and force a pitching change. Senior Mike Carter kept it going with a single and sophomore Jawuan Harris walked to load the bases. In the next at bat, Welsh scored on a passed ball, while Martinez connected for a two-run single to make it 10-7 in favor of the home team.

RU tacked on two more in the fifth to go up five. Martinez and Marcinczyk both took walks to board, with Martinez eventually scoring on a wild pitch. Matera would later come through with a two-out RBI single to make it 12-7.

The score would stay there until the ninth when Wagner plated three on three hits and an error to make it a two-run game. Herrmann entered with runners at second and third, fielding a comebacker and then drawing a grounder to second base to quell the situation and end the game.

Rico Viani (0-4) took the loss for the Seahawks in a 2.2-inning start.

Having wrapped up the non-conference portion of the schedule, the Scarlet Knights will return to Big Ten play with a weekend series at Nebraska. The three-game set will begin Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET on BTN Plus.

NOTES
Rutgers stole five bases and has now taken multiple bags in 14 games this season … Sclafani has reached base in 14-straight games … Matera has three games this season with four or more RBIs … all nine RU starters scored at least one run … Marcinczyk drew three walks to increase his career total to 107, ninth-most in school history … Rutgers swept the season series versus Wagner, also winning on Feb. 28, 9-2 … the game-time temperature was 71 degrees and the contest lasted three hours, seven minutes with an attendance of 266.

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), Facebook (/BaseballRU) and Snapchat (rutgersbaseball).