STORRS, Conn. – Rutgers baseball dropped both games of Friday's doubleheader at UConn, falling 9-8 in 11 innings in game one and 6-5 in game two.
While the Scarlet Knights (12-10) led in the ninth in game one and had the go-ahead run on base in the ninth in game two, they were unable to get past the Huskies (15-5) either time.
Game 1
Rutgers got out to a 3-0 lead in the second, scoring on an
Evan Sleight solo home run and RBI singles from
Andy Axelson and
Ryan Lasko. UConn stormed back at took a 4-3 lead, which ultimately become a 7-5 lead.
With two outs in the eighth, Lasko singled home
Chris Brito to make it 7-6.
Cameron Love then worked a full count and delivered a go-ahead 2-run double into the left field corner.
The Huskies scored the tying run in the bottom of the ninth with a bases-loaded RBI groundout. They walked it off on a two-out single with runners on second and third with two outs in the 11th inning,
Drew Conover started for RU and went 2.0+ innings, allowing 4 runs on one hit and four walks, while striking out two.
Grant Besser kept RU in it with 3.2 innings of relief, allowing a pair of runs.
Garrett French got the final out of the seventh,
Ben Gorski allowed a run in 1.1 innings and
Joe Mazza finished the game with 2.1 innings and allowed the winning run.
Game 2
Once again, Rutgers got on the board first, this time with a trio of two-out singles and Axelson driving in
Jordan Sweeney to make it 1-0 in the second.
The Huskies took advantage of a dropped third strike and error in the bottom of the second, using the extra outs to hit a two-out grand slam and take a 4-1 lead.
While the Scarlet Knights fought back to make it 4-3 in the third, the UConn bullpen was able to keep RU at bay and the lineup extended the lead to 6-3.
In the ninth, RU was able to make it a 6-5 game and load the bases with two outs, but a groundout to third ended the game and secured the doubleheader sweep for the Huskies.
Rutgers and UConn will wrap up their series with a 1 p.m. finale on Sunday afternoon.
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