SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. (May 3, 2022) – The No. 24 Rutgers baseball team was unable to overcome a trio of big bases-loaded hits and fell to Seton Hall by a score of 11-2 on Tuesday afternoon at Sheppard Stadium in South Orange

"When you walk guys and hit guys and then give up doubles, triples and home runs, it's hard to win a game," head coach Steve Owens said of the loss. "It was all of our pitchers. They didn't do a good job today of controlling counts and getting guys out with runners on base. We got our butts beat today. We've got a huge weekend coming up, trying to win a series against a team that's right behind us in the conference. Today is going to get flushed and we're going to move on to tomorrow."

After RU was unable to do anything in the top of the first, the Pirates went right to work in the bottom half, loaded the bases on a hit-by-pitch, single and walk. A walk would make the game 1-0 before Callan Moss cleared the bases with a two-out double, giving Seton Hall a 4-0 lead. 

RU got on the board in the top of the third, when Lasko singled and stole second to get into scoring position. Chris Brito then singled up the middle to score him and cut the deficit to 4-1. The Scarlet Knights were unable to do more damage, setting the stage for another big Seton Hall inning. 

For the second time in the game, the Pirates loaded the bases with two outs. Justin Scotto then cranked a grand slam down the right field line, putting Seton Hall up 8-1 in the bottom of the fifth. 

Evan Sleight led of the sixth being hit by a pitch and Tony Santa Maria doubled to give RU runners on second and third with no outs. The Scarlet Knights would just be able to score 1 run in the frame on a Josh Kuroda-Grauer sac fly, bringing the score to 8-2.

While Rutgers was able to get runners on base, the team stranded nine runners in the first seven innings of play. The Pirates once again loaded the bases in the seventh, setting the stage for a 3-run triple by Collin Sheehan to make it 11-2.

The Scarlet Knight lineup was unable to put any more runs on the board, ultimately going down 1-2-3 to end the game in the ninth. 

"We gave them nine free passes and they got hits with guys on bases every time. We had 10 guys on base and didn't get them in," Owes said. "Seton Hall executed well on the mound and we didn't do a good job with continuity with our at-bats."

Rutgers is back in action on Friday at Bainton Field against No. 22 Maryland.

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