Baseball Takes Nightcap to Sweep Doubleheader at Maryland

Saturday, March 13

College Park, Md.

3:30 PM

Rutgers University

4-3, 4-3

Maryland

2-5, 2-5

Rutgers

Maryland

Photo by: Eric Miller

Baseball Takes Nightcap to Sweep Doubleheader at Maryland

Mar 13 | Baseball

Box Score Statistics

Brito homers twice to finish day with seven hits and seven RBIs

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Using two homers from Chris Brito and a four-out save from Brian Fitzpatrick, Rutgers baseball (4-3) claimed the nightcap of a doubleheader against Maryland (2-5), 8-7, Saturday at Bob "Turtle" Smith Stadium. The Scarlet Knights previously won the opener, 9-3, to sweep a Big Ten twinbill for the second time since joining the conference (2018 at Michigan State).

"Our players played really hard all day long," head coach Steve Owens said. "We were really offensive today again and our pitchers were competitive. We were behind early in the second game, but stayed ahead for most of the day. It wasn't easy because both teams are hitting very well. There was a lot of excitement and energy on the field. I'm pleased with the number of players that are contributing in different ways for us. Chris Brito and Danny DiGeorgio have been great on offense. The pitching and the bullpen were solid. Of note, I thought Nate McLain did a really good job. He got us to Fitz.

"More than the number of hits and strikeouts, I'm just pleased with how we are competing. This is high-level baseball and you have to really get after it. That's what we want to be known for, playing hard. As we get better, we'll win more, but we are playing hard. I'm proud of the guys."

Brito slugged a pair of homers and added a single to finish the doubleheader 7-for-9 with seven RBIs. The third baseman is up to five long balls and 14 knocked in through seven games. Jordan Sweeney contributed three RBIs with a two-run homer and a sacrifice fly. The Scarlet Knights have hit 15 homers and averaging 7.6 runs per game so far this season.

Peter Serruto added a two-out, two-run single, while Mike Nyisztor and Grant Shulman joined Brito with two runs scored apiece.

"Brito is a really good baseball player and does everything well," Owens said. "As he becomes a more complete hitter, he's always had power, he is now hitting fastballs, breaking balls, changeups. He has an approach and a plan each at bat. Chris can hit the ball to any field."

On the mound, Brent Teller made the start and went 3.2 innings before Dale Stanavich followed with 2.1 innings of relief. Nate McLain, who recorded three strikeouts on the day, worked a perfect seventh inning before giving way to Fitzpatrick with two outs in the eighth. The lefty rung up a called strikeout to strand a runner and move the game to the ninth. The Terrapins put runners on via hit by pitch and walk in last inning, but Fitzpatrick picked up a swinging strike three to seal his second save.

"The last three outs are the hardest to get," Owens said. "That's why only certain pitchers can be closers. Fitz is our closer right now and we trust him. He did hit a guy in a one-run game, which you can't do, but he found a way. All that matters is holding the lead. He is competing at a high level and struck out the last hitter, keeping the ball out of play."

Connor Staine took the loss for Maryland with seven runs allowed in a five-inning start. Benjamin Cowles hit a pair of homers to give him five long balls for the weekend.

SCORING

The Terrapins scored two runs on three hits to take the lead after one inning.
After the first six went down, Shulman worked a walk to start the third and Sweeney followed with a tying two-run homer, his second in 2021.
Maryland reclaimed the lead on an RBI double in the bottom of the third.
The Scarlet Knights exploded for four runs in the fourth to take the lead. Danny DiGeorgio worked a four-pitch walk and Brito followed with a two-run homer. The rally continued when Nyisztor was hit by a pitch and moved to third on a double by Shulman. After the second out was recorded, Serruto delivered a two-run single.
A triple and RBI groundout for Maryland made it a 6-4 game after four innings.
On an 0-2 pitch in the fifth, Brito clubbed an opposite-field homer to extend the lead to 7-4.
Then in the sixth, Nyisztor singled, stole second, advanced on a Shulman groundout to the right side and scored on a sacrifice fly from Sweeney, his third RBI of the game.
Back-to-back homers by the Terrapins in the sixth cut the Scarlet Knights' advantage to 8-6. Cowles' homer in the eighth made it 8-7, but McLain and Fitzpatrick held from there.

UP NEXT

The series finale is set for Sunday at 1 p.m. Watch on Big Ten Network+ or listen on ScarletKnights.com.

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