CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Rutgers baseball took an early lead before Miami posted seven combined runs in the fourth and fifth innings to claim a 7-1 victory Saturday at Alex Rodriguez Park. It was the middle game of three between the programs to start the season.
 
"Harry competed his tail off and gave us a chance to win tonight," head coach Joe Litterio said. "We need to do a better job at the plate, especially when our starter goes out and there and puts up zeros early."
 
After making 13 starts as a rookie, sophomore Harry Rutkowski (0-1) posted three scoreless frames to begin his season. The left-hander ended with six strikeouts in the four-plus inning outing. In relief, freshman Garrett French fanned a pair in an inning, while junior Kyle Gerace collected nine outs without surrendering a run. He contributed a pair of strikeouts to make it 10 on the night for the staff.
 
At the plate, RU (0-2) totaled six hits. Redshirt freshman Tim Dezzi had his first two collegiate knocks and freshman Chris Brito singled, tripled and walked in four trips. Freshman Alex Russo made his first start, picked up a single for his first hit and also walked.
 
The Scarlet Knights jumped ahead in the second inning when Brito lined a single up the middle to start the inning. After an out, senior Tyler McNamara was hit by a pitch to bring up Dezzi, who laced a single to center. Brito initially stopped at third, but a misplay in the outfield allowed him to continue home and make it 1-0.
 
Rutkowski followed with two scoreless innings to keep the lead, but Miami (2-0) scored in the fourth on a two-run home run by Alex Toral. The hosts broke open the game with five in the fifth. Gerace kept it there, but the offense was held to one run on the night.
 
Chris McMahon (1-0) earned the win for Miami with one run permitted over five innings. Three UM relievers combined for the final four frames.
 
UP NEXT
The series wraps up Sunday at noon. Junior Tevin Murray is set to make his first collegiate start on the mound for Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights won the Sunday each in the previous two series against the Hurricanes.
 
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