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Rutgers University Athletics

Scoreboard

Big Ten Conference
Tyler McNamara
Mel Evans
9
Winner Rutgers RU 10-19
3
Lafayette LAFAYETT 11-19
Winner
Rutgers RU
10-19
9
Final
3
Lafayette LAFAYETT
11-19
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Rutgers RU 0 2 0 0 0 0 6 0 1 9 10 0
Lafayette LAFAYETT 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 0 3 8 1

W: Acosta, Steven (3-0) L: Subers, Kyle (0-3)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Baseball Rallies Past Lafayette, 9-3

Scarlet Knights score six runs in the seventh

EASTON, Pa. – Rutgers baseball (10-19) rallied for six runs in the top of the seventh to surpass Lafayette (11-19), 9-3, Wednesday at Kamine Stadium. The Scarlet Knights improved to 23-0-1 against the Leopards since 1994.
 
"Today was a game where we scored a couple in the second, but didn't add anymore that inning with runners on," head coach Joe Litterio said. "Then you look up and we're down in the seventh inning. I was disappointed with that, but happy with the way we responded by putting a six-run spot on the board to break it open. We've been talking about finishing games off and was glad to see it happen."
 
Down 3-2 heading into the seventh, RU sent 10 hitters to the plate to score six times and take the lead. Junior Kevin Welsh came through with a tying double and redshirt freshman Tim Dezzi put the Scarlet Knights on top on an RBI single. Welsh extended his on-base streak to 24 games by that double and also walked twice, while Dezzi (double, single), freshman Chris Brito (two doubles, two walks) and junior Kevin Blum (two singles) all had multiples hits. Senior Luke Bowerbank joined Blum with two RBIs in the game.
 
Seven different players knocked in a run and six scored. Senior Tyler McNamara start the scoring with his first collegiate homer, an opposite-field blast in the second inning.
 
On the mound, freshman Jared Bellissimo worked 4.2 innings with three runs allowed in the start. Junior Steven Acosta followed by picking up three strikeouts in 1.1 innings, earning his third win of the season. Freshman Garrett French, freshman Parker Scott and senior Serafino Brito all pitched a scoreless frame to hold the lead. The bullpen did not allow a run over 4.1 innings.
 
"Playing well in midweek games is important before a conference series," Litterio said. "We've got Michigan State coming in hot, winners of four of their last six games. They had a good weekend against Indiana State and beat Notre Dame last night. To win today is good for us, but we know we will have to play our best baseball to win this weekend."


 
SCORING
  • The Scarlet Knights took the lead with two runs in the top of the second. McNamara hit the first pitch of the inning over the fence in right field. Bowerbank, freshman Victor Valderrama and Blum all singled to load the bases and freshman David Soto hit an RBI groundout to third base.
  • The Leopards countered with two in the fourth on three hits and a walk.
  • Lafayette took a 3-2 lead in the fifth after coming through with a two-out RBI single.
  • RU broke out for six runs on four hits to take an 8-3 advantage in the top of the seventh. Sophomore Mike Nyisztor started the rally with a walk and scored from first on an RBI double by Welsh. After a pitching change, Dezzi put the Scarlet Knights back on top with a single to center. Brito doubled and McNamara walked to load the bases for Bowerbank, who drew ball four to make it 5-3. Valderrama drove in a run on an error, with Blum connecting for a two-run single to cap the inning.
  • Brito worked a leadoff walked in the ninth and came around on an RBI groundout by Bowerbank two batters later.
 
NOTES
  • Rutgers is now 4-1 in midweek games this season.
  • The Scarlet Knights have reached double-digit hits in their last three games and in five of the last six.
  • Welsh's 24-game on-base streak is the longest since Kyle Walker reached the mark last season.
  • Brito is now tied for sixth in school history with 74 career pitching appearances, matching Jeff Miller (1995-98).
  • The defense played its sixth game of the season without an error.
  • The Scarlet Knights snapped the Leopards' four-game winning streak.
  • The game-time temperature was 57 degrees and the contest lasted two hours, 58 minutes.
 
UP NEXT
The Scarlet Knights begin a seven-game homestand at Bainton Field Friday versus Michigan State. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
  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 (@RutgersBaseball), Instagram (@rutgersbaseball) and Facebook (/BaseballRU). For additional updates, please download the Gameday App.
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