ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Rutgers baseball (17-22, 7-6) dropped the series opener at No. 30 Michigan (29-11, 9-3) Friday at Fisher Stadium, 8-3. The Scarlet Knights had won six of their last seven Big Ten games entering the night.
 
"Michigan's pitcher did a good job keeping the ball down and getting strikes," head coach Joe Litterio said. "The wind was blowing out hard to left field and they put a couple balls out, but it was the same wind for both teams. Our backs were against the wall early after falling behind 3-0. We have to come back ready to go tomorrow. This game is done with, and like when we win, it's over and time to move on."
 
Michigan started off the bottom of the first with a solo homer by Jordan Nwogu before Jesse Franklin walked and Jordan Brewer homered to make it 3-0. The Wolverines posted one in the third, three in the fourth and one in the eighth as well.
 
Karl Kauffmann pitched eight scoreless innings for the Wolverines with five strikeouts and 12 groundouts.
 
Rutgers plated three runs in the ninth. Junior Anthony Greco led off with a seven-pitch walk before freshman Alex Russo also walked. With two outs, freshman Victor Valderrama hit an RBI single and freshman Chris Brito connected for a two-run single.
 
The Scarlet Knight bullpen combined to pitch 4.1 innings with three hits and one run permitted. Junior Steven Acosta dealt 2.1 innings before sophomore Kyle Muller and junior Eric Reardon both worked a frame.
 
UP NEXT
Game two of the series is set for Saturday at 2 p.m.

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— Rutgers Baseball (@RutgersBaseball) April 26, 2019

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