PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers baseball (18-24) returned to the win column with a 5-4 triumph over Rider (13-31) Wednesday at Bainton Field. The Scarlet Knights used eight scoreless innings on the mound from freshman
Jared Bellissimo, three two-RBIs at the plate and the first career save by sophomore
Kyle Muller, who stranded the tying run at third, to secure the victory.
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"After a long weekend on the road, it was good to come out today and pick up this win," head coach
Joe Litterio said. "Jared pitched great out there. He filled up the zone to allow us to build a 5-0 lead. And credit to Kyle for coming in and getting the job done in the ninth."
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Bellissimo established a new career high with eight innings worked, besting his six-inning performance last week at Columbia. The left-hander picked up 10 outs in the air, 10 on the ground and struck out two in the outing. He did not walk a batter, scattered five hits, left three on base and had a stretch of eight in a row retired at one point. RU is 5-2 in games started by Bellissimo this season.
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In relief, Muller entered in the top of the ninth with bases loaded in a 5-2 game with one out. A walk forced in a run, but senior third baseman
Carmen Sclafani prevented a potential game-tying, two-run hit by diving to snare a grounder and throwing to second for a force out. Muller then induced a routine fly ball to left in a one-run game with runners at the corners to earn his first collegiate save.
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Offensively, the Scarlet Knights recorded three RBIs with two outs to construct a 5-0 lead through seven innings. Junior
Kevin Welsh went 2-for-4 with two knocked in, while freshman
Chris Brito reached three times on two singles and a walk. Redshirt freshman
Tim Dezzi delivered a two-run hit as well.
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Rider registered 10 hits, all singles, and stranded five on base.
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SCORING
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UP NEXT
Rutgers travels to Penn State for a Big Ten series over the weekend. The set starts Friday at 6:30 p.m.
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