PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Rutgers baseball fell in game two of its series to Minnesota by a score of 8-4 on Saturday afternoon at Bainton Field.
 
The Scarlet Knights (17-22, 6-11 Big Ten) were unable to overcome a five-run fifth inning from the Golden Gophers (20-17, 7-10 Big Ten), who secured the series win. 
 
For the second straight day, Minnesota struck first in the top of the third, this time using a solo home run to make it 1-0.
 
RU responded in the bottom half, with Ty Doucette hitting his team-leading eighth home run of the season to tie the game at 1-1.
 
In the bottom of the fourth, the Scarlet Knights jumped ahead when RJ Johnson Jr. drew a bases-loaded walk.
 
Despite RU taking the lead, the Golden Gophers took control of the game in the fifth with a five-spot. After loading the bases with no outs, a single and sac fly gave them a 3-2 advantage. With two outs, a three-run home run blew it open and made the score 6-2.

Two more for UM pushed the advantage to 8-2. While Brennan Hyde hit a pinch-hit, two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth, it was not enough to ignite a comeback as RU fell 8-4. 
 
The series finale between Rutgers and Minnesota is set for 1 p.m. Sunday at Bainton Field.

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