Box Score

PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. -- Rutgers baseball put runners on base in each of the last eight innings, but left 12 stranded in a 7-2 loss at Villanova Wednesday in a game played at Villanova Ballpark at Plymouth. The Scarlet Knights had won six consecutive games over its past Big East rival prior to the contest.

Offensively, all nine starters had a hit, with sophomore Tom Marcinczyk (Middlesex, N.J.) collecting two. The outfielder has now reached base in 36 of his last 37 games played. Sophomore Christian Campbell (Sayreville, N.J.) also had a productive day by singling and reaching twice via walk. In addition, seniors Vinny Zarrillo (Forked River, N.J.) and Joe D'Annunzio (Scotch Plains, N.J.) produced a triple and an RBI, respectively, in the game.

Freshman John O'Reilly (Northvale, N.J.) took a no-decision in his seventh start of the season with no earned runs allowed over five innings. The right-hander lowered his ERA to 3.00 on the year, as he entered the week ranked second among all qualifying Big Ten freshmen pitchers in the category.

After each side went down scoreless in the first two innings, Rutgers (15-28-1) dented the scoreboard in the third. Sophomore Chris Folinusz (Cranford, N.J.) led off with a single to right-center and moved up on a bunt base hit by junior John Jennings (Berkeley Heights, N.J.). Following an out, D'Annunzio shot an RBI single up the middle to drive home Folinusz for a 1-0 lead.

The RU defense nearly turned a triple play in the bottom of the fourth. With two on and no out, O'Reilly delivered a pitch inside that hit the bat with the batter spinning out of the way. Folinusz pounced on the ball from behind the plate and fired to freshman Milo Freeman (Millburn, N.J.) at third, who relayed to Jennings at second for the next out. The ball was turned to first, but not quite in time on a close play. O'Reilly was able to retire the next hitter to escape the inning.

The Wildcats (18-22) were able to add an unearned run in the fifth to tie it up and Max Beerman hit a solo home run in the sixth to give the hosts the lead. The advantage grew to 4-1 with two runs scored with two down in the seventh.

The Scarlet Knights chipped back with one in the top of the eighth. Freshman Kyle Walker (Piscataway, N.J.) singled with two outs and Campbell drew a walk to put a pair aboard. After a pitching change, Folinusz chopped a ball through the infield that went for an error, as Walker scored.

However, Villanova tacked on three insurance runs in the eighth to make it a five-run game. John Santoianni collected the last four outs for the save, while Woody Bryson (1-0) earned the win in relief. Sophomore Ryan Fleming (Churchville, Pa.) (0-1) was charged with his first career loss in his 25th collegiate appearance.

After taking the field for six consecutive non-conference games, Rutgers will return to Big Ten action Friday at Penn State to begin a three-game set. The Saturday game will be televised live on Big Ten Network at 1:30 p.m.

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