LINCOLN, Neb. (April 9, 2022) – The Rutgers baseball team clinched a series win over the defending Big Ten champions on Saturday afternoon, taking down Nebraska by a score of 5-4 at Haymarket Park in Lincoln. The 7-1 start in conference play has RU alone in first place in the Big Ten standings and continues to be a program record for best start since joining the Big Ten. Saturday's win also marked the first time RU has won six straight Big Ten games.
 
After the Scarlet Knights got out to a 3-0 lead, a controversial call gave Nebraska a 3-run home run to tie the game in the seventh inning. Rutgers responded right away, as Tony Santa Maria cracked a 2-run home run to put RU ahead for good. Garrett French picked up the win after getting three outs in relief and settling things down after the home run, while Dale Stanavich earned his Big Ten-leading seventh save of the season.
 
Looking to clinch its third straight Big Ten series to start the season, the Scarlet Knights needed another big outing from starter Nathan Florence and he delivered for his team. Florence went 5.0 innings without allowing a run, surrendering just one hit and one walk, while striking out 7.
 
He made way for Ben Gorski, who finished off a clean sixth inning. With two outs in the seventh inning, Gorski gave up a high fly ball with two runners on base. The ball bounced off the wall and remained in play, but the umpires ruled it a 3-run home for Nebraska, allowing the Cornhuskers to tie the game at 3-3. Although replays on television showed that the ball did not go over the fence, there is no instant replay and the umpires confirmed the call after discussion.

A tough break for us, as this is ruled a home run for Nebraska and the game is now tied at 3-3. pic.twitter.com/BStzqI4KWI

— Rutgers Baseball (@RutgersBaseball) April 9, 2022

 
That did not phase Rutgers, who answered immediately in the eighth inning. Nick Cimillo was hit by a pitch to start the frame before Tony Santa Maria hit a laser beam over the wall in left-center field to put RU up 5-3.

BALL DON'T LIE!

THERE IS NO DOUBT ABOUT THIS ONE AND TONY SANTA MARIA PUTS US BACK ON TOP!!!! pic.twitter.com/EZeNwALfgH

— Rutgers Baseball (@RutgersBaseball) April 9, 2022

 
Nebraska got a run back in the bottom of the eighth, but Dale Stanavich entered and got out of a bases loaded jam with a strikeout. He remained in the game and completed the four-out save.

"That (game) just shows our resilience and the trust in the guys in front of us, the guys behind us and the guys coming out of the bullpen," Tony Santa Maria said. "We know that if we get a lead, that we're going to keep it. If it comes down to those final outs, we have all those guys in the infield and outfield that we can trust."
 

SCORING

 

UP NEXT

Rutgers will go for the sweep against Nebraska tomorrow at 1:00 p.m. EST.
 
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