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Rutgers University Athletics

Scoreboard

Big Ten Conference
U.S. Bank Stadium
1
Indiana IND 0-1, 0-1 Big Ten
2
Winner Rutgers RU 1-0, 1-0 Big Ten
Indiana IND
0-1, 0-1 Big Ten
1
Final
2
Rutgers RU
1-0, 1-0 Big Ten
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Indiana IND 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 5 0
Rutgers RU 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 X 2 3 0

W: Rutkowski, Harry (1-0) L: Bierman, Gabe (0-1) S: Fitzpatrick, Brian (1)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Baseball Holds Down Indiana on Opening Day, 2-1

Rutkowski, Muller and Fitzpatrick combine to earn one-run victory

MINNEAPOLIS – Behind six effective innings from Harry Rutkowski, a scoreless frame from Kyle Muller and five strikeouts in a two-inning save by Brian Fitzpatrick, Rutgers baseball (1-0) earned a 2-1 victory over Indiana (0-1) Friday at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. It was the first win for the Scarlet Knights on Opening Day since 2008.
 
"We pitched very well from start to finish," said head coach Steve Owens, who picked up a victory in his first Big Ten game. "Harry gave us a great start and struck out the last three guys in the sixth inning. And then, Muller did what Muller does. Now there is a new piece in the bullpen with Fitzpatrick coming in and doing a great job. The key to today was pitching and a couple key hits."
 
Chris Brito provided a solo homer in the bottom of the second, his seventh career long ball, while Grant Shulman knocked in a run on a one-out single in the fourth that proved to be the difference. Evan Sleight made his Rutgers debut reaching two times and scoring a run, as the offense worked five walks.
 
"I thought we did a good job early of working their pitcher and were a hit or two away from scoring more early," Owens said. "Overall, I was pleased with the offensive approach, but we have to do some things better. I did see more toughness and better recognition of the strike zone. That was a good Friday Big Ten starter."
 
Making his 32nd career start, Rutkowski racked up eight strikeouts with four hits and two walks permitted over six innings. The left-hander stranded five runners on base to earn the win, striking out the side to cap the outing. Muller worked around a leadoff single in the seventh by leaving the tying run at third. Then in the eighth, Fitzpatrick returned from injury to make made his first appearance since March 3, 2019. The 6-7 lefty fanned two and then wiped out the side in order with three punchouts to collect his first collegiate save.
 
"Indiana and Minnesota are traditionally two of the better teams in our conference," Owens said. "We have a lot of respect for them. We are treating every game the same. There were some great plays today, excitement in the dugout and they played relaxed, not starry-eyed. My coaching staff did a very good job of preparing and it's great to get this win, better than a loss."
 
Gabe Bierman took the loss for Indiana, the defending Big Ten regular season champion picked second in the league in the preseason coaches' poll. The Hoosiers were held to 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position.  
SCORING
  • Brito popped a solo blast to open the bottom of the second that cleared the batter's eye in centerfield.
  • Indiana used a two-out single and triple to tie the game at one in the top of the fourth.
  • Then in the bottom of the fourth, Rutgers responded to reclaim the lead. Brito worked a leadoff walk and Sleight was hit by a pitch to put two on. After a force out at third, Shulman jumped on the first pitch to hit an RBI single up the middle.
 
UP NEXT

The Scarlet Knights are back with two games inside U.S. Bank Stadium Saturday, starting with a 5 p.m. ET matchup against Minnesota. RU will face Indiana again at 9 p.m. ET. Watch all games this weekend on Big Ten Network+ (subscription) or listen on ScarletKnights.com (free). 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 (@RutgersBaseball), Instagram (@rutgersbaseball) and Facebook (/BaseballRU). For additional updates, please download the Scarlet Knights App via the app store or play store.
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