PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers baseball picked up an important win on Tuesday, defeating in-state rival Rider by a score of 4-2.
The Scarlet Knights (11-8) were down 2-1 in the final three innings but tied the game in the seventh and plated 2 runs in the eighth to secure the victory over the visiting Broncs (13-7).
Justin Sinibaldi made his third consecutive midweek start for RU and once again gave his team a big lift on the mound. He started off dominant, striking out five of the first six batters he faced. He ultimately went 5.1 innings, allowing 2 runs on five hits, while striking out six and walking just one.
The Scarlet Knights got on the board first in the bottom of the third, with
Cameron Love grounding into a fielder's choice with the bases loaded, scoring
Hugh Pinkney from third.
The Broncs, who have won four of their five series this season, did not go away easily. After tying the game on a solo home run in the fifth, they took a 2-1 lead in the sixth thanks to a leadoff triple and RBI single.
After two quick outs to start the bottom of the seventh, Love delivered his first career home run, a rocket off the bat that cleared the left field wall in a hurry.
With the game tied in the bottom of the eighth, a fielder's choice and double from
Evan Sleight gave RU runners on second and third, leading to Rider intentionally walking
Chris Brito with one out.
Hugh Pinkney worked a full count and ultimately drew a walk to score the go-ahead run. A
Danny Melnick RBI groundout made it a 4-2 game heading into the final inning.
Joe Mazza got the ball for the ninth and wasted no time securing his first career save, setting the Broncs down 1-2-3 with a strikeout.
Rutgers will get right back to action this week, with the team set to host Lafayette at 3 p.m. on Wednesday.
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