March 8, 2015 Box Score
BOCA RATON, Fla. - Rutgers baseball reached nine hits, but dropped the finale of its series at No. 24 Florida Atlantic, 12-4, Sunday at FAU Baseball Stadium. It was the seventh game this season for the Scarlet Knights against a ranked opponent.
Senior Vinny Zarrillo (Forked River, N.J.) and sophomore Tom Marcinczyk (Middlesex, N.J.) each produced two hits from the middle of the order, while junior Chris Suseck (Flemington, N.J.) scored twice and knocked in a pair. RU was hit by a pitch four times.
On the mound, sophomore Ryan Fleming (Churchville, Pa.) permitted just one run in three innings of relief. The left-hander struck out one and stranded five runners on base. Sophomore Kyle Driscoll (Toms River, N.J.) (0-2) took the loss in his third start of the year.
The Owls (14-2) took the early lead on a two-run homer by Ricky Santiago in the first. RU (1-9) responded with a run in the top of the second. Juniors R.J. Devish (Beachwood, N.J.) and John Jennings (Berkeley Heights, N.J.) were both hit by a pitch and sophomore Mike Carter (Bloomfield, N.J.) singled to load the bases for Marcinczyk, who was drilled by a pitch for an RBI.
However, FAU expanded their lead with a five-run rally in the second and added one in the third to make it an 8-1 game. RU chipped back with one in the fourth on an RBI single by sophomore Gaby Rosa (Perth Amboy, N.J.) to score Suseck. Then Suseck slammed a two-run, two-out double one frame later to bring it to 8-4. Zarrillo drew a walk and Devish singled previously in the rally.
That proved to be as close as the Scarlet Knights could get, as the Owls totaled four more and prevented further Rutgers rallies. Robbie Coursel (2-0) earned the win for the hosts.
RU will next attempt to play its home opener Wednesday against Iona. First pitch from Bainton Field is scheduled for 3 p.m. and the game will be carried on WRSU 88.7 FM.
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