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Big Ten Conference
Victor Valderrama
Mark Brown
4
Winner Villanova VU 13-32
3
Rutgers RU 19-26
Winner
Villanova VU
13-32
4
Final
3
Rutgers RU
19-26
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Villanova VU 0 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 4 7 0
Rutgers RU 0 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 6 1

W: Jonathan Rosero (1-5) L: Bellissimo, Jared (3-1) S: Cameron Mathes (2)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Baseball Drops Final Midweek to Villanova

Valderrama robs homer and throws out runner at the plate

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Freshman centerfielder Victor Valderrama robbed a homer and also threw out a runner at plate, but it was not enough as Rutgers baseball (19-26) came up short against Villanova (13-32) in a 4-3 Tuesday loss at Bainton Field. The Scarlet Knights dropped to 11-5 at home and 7-3 in midweek games this season.
 
"Today was a game where we thought we would just show up and win," head coach Joe Litterio said. "I was disappointed. We have to come out ready to play no matter the opponent. There were opportunities with runners on base, but we couldn't get the big hit. We will need to play better this weekend."
 
Freshman Jared Bellissimo made his eighth start of the season and gave up only one run in the first six innings before Villanova plated three in the seventh. The left-hander struck out three in the outing. Freshman Garrett French recorded the final out in the seventh and the first in the eighth before senior Serafino Brito worked the final 1.2 innings. Brito is now tied with Chris Lillis (2003-07) for third in program history with 82 career appearances.
 
Defensively, Valderrama preserved a 2-1 lead in the fifth by leaping over the wall in left-center to steal away a homer. Then in the seventh with the same score, he fired a strike home to gun down a runner for the second out of the inning.
 
Freshman Peter Serruto highlighted the offensive production with a two-run double off the wall in left field. Senior Carmen Sclafani added his team-leading 30th RBI of the season on a two-out single in the seventh, while Valderrama extended his on-base streak to 22 games. The Scarlet Knights finished with six hits and five walks, but went 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position.
 
Jonathan Rosero earned the win for the Wildcats with four scoreless innings of relief, with Cameron Mathes pitching the final three frames for his second save of the season. Villanova snapped its four-game losing streak at Bainton Field.
  SCORING
  • Dylan McNary hit a solo homer to give Villanova the lead in the second inning.
  • The Scarlet Knights responded with two runs in the bottom of the second on a double by Serruto. Senior Tyler McNamara (single) and Valderrama (walk) both scored on the play.
  • The Wildcats used a pair of singles with two outs in the seventh to plate three and take the lead.
  • Sclafani ripped an RBI single with two down in the last of the seventh to make it 4-3, but Mathes retired the next seven hitters to end the game.
 
UP NEXT
Rutgers plays its final home series of the season this weekend versus Northwestern, starting Friday at 2 p.m. The Scarlet Knights are in seventh place, while the Wildcats are tied with Maryland for eighth.
  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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