PISCATAWAY, N.J. – In a pitcher's duel turned back-and-forth affair late, Rutgers baseball (17-15) came out on the short end of an 11-inning, 5-3 game versus No. 17 Indiana (22-9) Saturday at Bainton Field. Ben Wereski left with the lead after pitching seven scoreless innings and Mike Nyisztor drove in all three runs for the Scarlet Knights, including a game-tying, two-out single in the 10th.Â
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"We were one out away from winning today, it was a hard-fought game," head coach Steve Owens said. "Both starting pitchers were awesome. We got a big homer from Mike to take the lead in the seventh, but they hit a two-out changeup in the ninth to tie it. I thought our guys competed at a high level, especially Ben stranding the bases loaded. Indiana is the top team in the league and we were right there. I'm pleased with our guy's efforts, they competed hard. We just didn't get the job done, and they did. We have to keep getter better, but I love our fight."Â
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Wereski allowed just one baserunner through the first six innings and retired 16 batters in a row at point. The left-hander surrendered his first hit to start the seventh, with the Hoosiers adding another single and walk to load the bases with no outs. However, a short fly ball, infield pop and strikeout left all three on to keep it a scoreless game. Wereski lowered his ERA to 2.90 and WHIP to 0.93 with his sixth quality starts.Â
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Nyisztor followed the bases-loaded escape in the top of the seventh with a solo homer to break a perfect game by IU starter McCade Brown. Nyisztor then connected for a two-run single with RU down 3-1 in the 10th to extend the game.Â
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Brown struck out 11 in seven innings in a no-decision. Collin Hopkins hit a two-out RBI single in the ninth to tie the game at one and Jordan Fucci connected for a two-run homer in the 11th that proved to be the difference.Â
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SCORINGÂ
- B7Â |Â Nyisztor broke the scoreless tie with a solo homer to left.Â
- T9 | With two on and no outs, Dale Stanavich entered and picked up two outs, but Hopkins lined a tying single to center field.Â
- T10 | The Hoosiers scored two runs on two hits to take a 3-1 lead.Â
- B10 | Chris Brito worked a walk, Danny DiGeorgio singled and Kevin Welsh laid down a bunt single to load the bases with no outs. IU retired the next two, with Nyisztor coming through with a single to right to even the score at three.Â
- T11 | Fucci lifted a two-run homer with one out.Â
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UP NEXTÂ
The Scarlet Knights will take on Nebraska Sunday at 3 p.m. The game will stream on Big Ten Network+ and can be heard on WRSU 88.7-FM.Â
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Bainton Field PodÂ
Friday:Â Indiana 8, Rutgers 3Â
Saturday: Indiana 5, Rutgers 3 (11)Â
Saturday (3 p.m.): Indiana vs. NebraskaÂ
Sunday (11 a.m.): Indiana vs. NebraskaÂ
Sunday (3 p.m.): Rutgers vs. NebraskaÂ
Monday (11 a.m.): Rutgers vs. NebraskaÂ
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