SPARTANBURG, S.C. – Sophomore Harry Rutkowski allowed only one run over 5.2 innings, but Rutgers baseball left eight runners on base in a 1-0 loss at USC Upstate in the series opener Saturday at Harley Park. It was the first end of a doubleheader between the teams.
 
Rutkowski (0-2) established a new career high with eight strikeouts in the outing, permitting five hits and walking three. Redshirt junior Tommy Genuario followed with 1.1 scoreless innings of relief, while senior Serafino Brito logged one scoreless of his own.
 
The Scarlet Knights (2-8) had four hits on the day. Junior Kevin Welsh picked up a double and a sacrifice bunt.
 
After each side went down through five, the Spartans (6-7) broke the scoreless tie with a run in the sixth inning. Leadoff hitter Stone Stephenson began with his second double of the game to right-center, moving to third on a sacrifice bunt by Griffin Zito. Next up, Andres Kim connected for an RBI single. Genuario entered later in the inning and stranded a pair of runners to keep it 1-0.
 
That would prove to be enough. USC Upstate Jordan Marks (1-2) earned the win with six strikeouts over six innings. Will Wheeler fanned four in a two-inning save.
 
UP NEXT
Game two of the doubleheader followed.
 
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