PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Behind a quality start from Ben Wereski and four RBIs by Richie Schiekofer, Rutgers baseball (21-23) concluded its 2021 season beating Illinois (22-22), 6-3, in the rubber game Saturday at Bainton Field. The Scarlet Knights improved to 4-1 in weekend deciders this year and finish 6-4-1 in weekend series of at least three games. In addition, the program earned its best placement (eighth) and winning percentage (.477) in Big Ten play since joining the conference.
 
"They scored early, but we bounced back and put up a three-spot in the second," head coach Steve Owens said. "Richie had some big hits and Ben hung in there to give us another solid start. He's been consistent all year. Dale was really good at the end, I think we found a closer. To come back and win a home series, which we hadn't done since March, and win our 21^st Big Ten game is a pretty good accomplishment and a good step forward for our program. We played every other Big Ten team and beat them this year. A good stepping stone for the future."
 
Starting his 13^th game of the year, Wereski logged his eighth quality start with three runs allowed in six innings. The left-hander struck out three and stranded four on base. For the season, he earned six wins, the most by a Scarlet Knight since 2016, with a WHIP of .99 in 76 innings, striking out 56 compared to 11 walks.
 
"Brent (Teller) and Ben coming in as grad transfers, they had a huge impact on our season," Owens said. "I'm not sure we're even close to the situation we are now without them as key weekend starters."
 
Schiekofer hit in the leadoff spot and contributed a two-out, two-run double and a two-run homer to match his career high at four RBIs. Chris Brito earned a walk and joined Schiekofer with a 17-game on-base streak to end the season. Evan Sleight added an RBI double, as all nine in the lineup reached safely at least once.
 
Dale Stanavich struck out the side for the second-straight day to earn his fifth save of the season.
 
For Illinois, Riley McGowan took the loss with two earned runs against in 3.1 innings. Wereski held the Illini hitters to 1-for-10 with runners on and 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position. RU improved to 4-2 all-time against Illinois at Bainton Field.
 
Rutgers honored its 13 seniors in a postgame ceremony: Tim Dezzi, Danny DiGeorgio, Kyle Muller, Tevin Murray, Mike Nyisztor, Sam Owens, Eric Reardon, Harry Rutkowski, Richie Schiekofer, Brent Teller, Kevin Welsh, Ben Wereski and Aaron Winkler.

"Definitely a great note to end the season with a series win."

Schiekofer's bat (pictured) provided four RBIs & Wereski earned his sixth win in the rubber-game victory over Illinois.#RBaseball #TCD pic.twitter.com/8wt2Bj1a3m

— Rutgers Baseball (@RutgersBaseball) May 30, 2021

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With inclement weather in the forecast for Sunday, Rutgers and Illinois played a doubleheader consisting of two seven-inning games on Saturday. The Scarlet Knights conclude 2021 having played the regulation 44 games in the Big Ten-only schedule with a 21-23 mark.
 
 
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