Box Score

PISCATAWAY, N.J. - Powered by a five-run fifth inning, Rutgers baseball won its fourth game in a row and 16th consecutive at Bainton Field by defeating Rider, 9-3, on a rainy Wednesday. The Scarlet Knights out-hit the Broncs by a 12-6 margin.

Senior Vinny Zarrillo (Forked River, N.J.) led all hitters in the game with three hits, while junior R.J. Devish (Beachwood, N.J.) and freshman Milo Freeman (Millburn, N.J.) each collected a pair. Sophomore Tom Marcinczyk (Middlesex, N.J.) drove in two runs to raise to a team-leading 20 for the season. In addition, senior Joe D'Annunzio (Scotch Plains, N.J.) reached base four different times, including three walks, and scored twice.

On the mound, sophomore Ryan Fleming (Churchville, Pa.) made the start and surrendered no earned runs over three innings. Freshman John O'Reilly (Northvale, N.J.) (3-0) followed in relief and picked up the win with three strikeouts over the next three frames. The backend of the bullpen pitched hitless baseball, as freshman Ryan Wares (Howell, N.J.) tossed the seventh and eighth and sophomore Max Herrmann (Rutherford, N.J.) locked down the ninth.

With the score tied at three heading to the bottom of the fifth, Rutgers (7-14) broke open the game with five runs on five hits and benefitted from an error. D'Annunzio drew a walk to lead off and Marcinczyk singled to put two aboard. Next up, Zarrillo beat out a bunt for a single to load the bases for sophomore Christian Campbell (Sayreville, N.J.), who earned an RBI walk. Junior Chris Suseck (Flemington, N.J.) added a sacrifice fly to score Marcinczyk and move Zarrillo to third.

The rally was not finished, as Campbell stole second and Zarrillo took home on the same play on a muffed throw. Continuing, sophomore Chris Folinusz (Cranford, N.J.) pinch hit and laced an RBI single up the middle to make it 7-3. Following singles by Devish and Freeman, sophomore Mike Carter (Bloomfield, N.J.) capped the rally with an RBI groundout.

The margin would prove to be the difference, but RU added another in the eighth. Carter doubled with one down and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Marcinczyk.

Rider (4-12) did dent the scoreboard first with an unearned run in the second, but Rutgers answered with two in the third. Freeman began with a walk and moved up to third when D'Annunzio connected for an infield single that was thrown away. Marcinczyk recorded an RBI groundout with the infield back for the first run and Zarrillo followed with a two-out run-scoring single up the middle.

The score evened at two in the top of the fourth, but the Scarlet Knights responded again with a run. With two outs, Devish singled to right and stole his sixth base of the season in as many attempts. Freeman then chased him home with a double inside the left field line.

Moving to the fifth, Rider scored one, but Rutgers countered with its decisive five-run rally. David Hafer (3-1) suffered his first loss of the season after surrendering the go-ahead runs.

The Scarlet Knights will continue their 10-game homestand Friday by beginning a three-game Big Ten series against Ohio State. First pitch from Bainton Field is set for 3 p.m. and the entire weekend will be covered by BTN Plus and WRSU.



NOTES
Rutgers is on a season-best four-game winning streak ... the 16-game home winning streak is the second-longest active streak of its kind in the nation ... Devish caught a career-high three runners stealing ... the Scarlet Knights have stolen 18 bases over the past eight games ... the defense turned three double plays, including one on a catch and throw to home by Marcinczyk from right field ... the bats reached double-digit hits for the fourth time in the last five outings, improving to 6-2 overall when reaching the mark ... O'Reilly has earned a win or a save in four of his five appearances this season ... Marcinczyk has reached base safely in each of the past 15 games ... it was the 110th win at Bainton Field for RU ... the offense has scored more times in the third inning (22) compared to any other frame ... the Scarlet Knights have won the past two meeting with Rider ... the game lasted two hours, 43 minutes and the game-time temperature was 46 degrees ... the contest was played in a steady rain until the late innings.

Follow Rutgers Athletics on Facebook and Twitter (@RUAthletics) for all of the latest news and updates. For specific updates regarding baseball, follow the program on Twitter (@BaseballRU), Instagram (@rutgersbaseball) and Tumblr.