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Rutgers University Athletics

Scoreboard

Big Ten Conference
Nathan Florence
Steve Hockstein
2
Winner Rutgers RU 5-1
0
UNCW UNCW 5-2
Winner
Rutgers RU
5-1
2
Final
0
UNCW UNCW
5-2
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Rutgers RU 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 5 2
UNCW UNCW 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0

W: Florence, Nathan (1-0) L: Brett Banks (0-1) S: Stanavich, Dale (1)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Baseball Blanks UNCW to Sweep Doubleheader

Scarlet Knights strike out 15 in nightcap, most in a game since 2011

WILMINGTON, N.C. – Punching out 15, four Rutgers baseball (5-1) pitchers combined to blank UNCW (5-2), 2-0, to complete a doubleheader sweep Saturday at Brooks Field. The Scarlet Knights' 5-1 start is the best for the program since 2005.
 
"Yesterday we squandered an opportunity to win the game, did a lot of good stuff but didn't pitch well enough," head coach Steve Owens said. "We talked about it and challenged our pitchers. They stepped up. We got great starts from Jared (Kollar) and Nathan (Florence) today, played good defense and hit the ball hard."
 
Making his second start for the Scarlet Knights, Nathan Florence fanned nine in five scoreless innings, capping each frame with a punchout. The right-hander permitted just two hits and stranded six runners in his 10th collegiate win. Ben Gorski struck out two in a scoreless sixth before Garrett French retired all five batters faced on nine pitches. Dale Stanavich fanned all four batters faced for his first save of the season.
 
"We faced two good teams this weekend," Owens said. "The bullpen was great today too, contributions from all over the roster. The thing that makes me happiest about today was the way we pitched. Coach Monaghan did a great job with the pitchers. All games count throughout the season and we want to win weekends, and we did."
 
This marked the second shutout for RU this year, also blanking Houston Baptist on Opening Day. The 15 strikeouts are the most for the Scarlet Knights in a game since April 16, 2011, versus Cincinnati.
 
Offensively, Tony Santa Maria blasted his first homer of 2022 and second in his career. Richie Schiekofer reached three times on two walks and a single to extend his on-base streak to 23 games dating back to last season.
 
Brett Banks took the loss on the mound for the Seahawks, who were held to three hits offensively. UNCW was picked to finish second in the preseason CAA coaches' poll.  
SCORING
  • T3 | Mike Nyisztor reached via a wild pitch on a strikeouts and took second on a single by Schiekofer. Danny DiGeorgio then worked a walk to load the bases before a wild pitch allowed the first run to cross.
  • T4 | Santa Maria launched a solo homer off the batter's eye with one out.
 
UP NEXT

The scheduled Sunday game versus Middle Tennessee is canceled due to inclement weather in the forecast. The Scarlet Knights will return to the field Tuesday in midweek action at Saint Joseph's. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.

"This team has great chemistry and I like them a lot," Owens said. "They are unselfish and we want to continue to play hard and get better every game."


 
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 Scarlet Knights App via the app store or play store.
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