WILMINGTON, N.C. – Rutgers baseball (4-1) scored eight runs in the first three innings on the way to knocking off previously unbeaten UNCW (5-1), 12-5, in game one of a doubleheader Saturday at Brooks Field. The Scarlet Knights have scored double-digit runs in four consecutive games for the first time since 2010.
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The offense totaled 18 more hits to increase the season total to 76 through five games, with at least 11 each contest. Eight of the hits came with runners in scoring position. The balanced attack also stole five bases in as many attempts.
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Ryan Lasko registered a career-high four hits with two RBIs, while
Danny DiGeorgio went 3-for-4 with four RBIs, three runs, two stolen bases and a walk.
Richie Schiekofer,
Nick Cimillo and
Tony Santa Maria all added two hits apiece, as RU drew nine walks in the game.
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Schiekofer has started the season 12-for-23 (.522) and Santa Maria is up to 10 RBIs. Cimillo has posted a .680 on-base percentage through five games.
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Jared Kollar earned his first win as a Scarlet Knight on the mound after allowing just two runs over five innings. The right-hander scattered four hits, walked none and struck out three.
Justin Sinibaldi followed up with four innings to earn his second career save.
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Defensively, Rutgers did not commit an error for the fourth-straight game with only one on the season, turning two double plays. Lasko made a highlight-reel catch at the wall in the center field.
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- T1 | Rutgers scored in the first inning for the third time in five games. Mike Nyisztor, Schiekofer and DiGeorgio all singled consecutively to start the game and plate two right away. DiGeorgio then stole second, advanced on an error and scored on a Chris Brito sacrifice fly to make it 3-0.
- B1 | The Seahawks scored one on a leadoff triple by Brooks Baldwin and sacrifice fly.
- T2 | The Scarlet Knights answered with a pair of runs with two outs. Santa Maria ripped a leadoff double, scoring three batters later on a single up the middle by DiGeorgio. The shortstop then stole second and scored on an RBI single up the middle by Lasko to make it 5-1.
- T3 | RU tacked on three more with two outs. Santa Maria initiated the rally with a single, stole second and advanced on an error. Nyisztor worked a walk after falling behind 0-2 and stole second. Schiekofer then roped a two-run double to right field and scored on a double down the right-field line by DiGeorgio.
- B4 | Matt Suggs hit a solo homer for UNCW.
- T6 | Lasko and Cimillo connected for back-to-back doubles to increase the lead to 9-2.
- T8 | Cimillo worked a leadoff walk, advanced to third on a pinch-hit double by Joshua Kuroda-Grauer and scored on a sacrifice fly by Santa Maria.
- T9 | The Scarlet Knights added two more runs on three hits to build the advantage to 10. DiGeorgio reached for the fourth time with a walk and moved up on a single by Brito. Lasko next came up and ripped an RBI single through the left side. Two batters later, Garrett Callaghan picked up his first Rutgers hit to drove home another.
