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Rutgers University Athletics

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Big Ten Conference
Harry Rutkowski
Mike Lawrence
2
Illinois ILL 21-21, 21-21 BigTen
3
Winner Rutgers RU 20-22, 20-22 BigTen
Illinois ILL
21-21, 21-21 BigTen
2
Final
3
Rutgers RU
20-22, 20-22 BigTen
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Illinois ILL 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2 6 0
Rutgers RU 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 X 3 9 0

W: Fitzpatrick, Brian (3-2) L: Rybarczyk,Ty (1-3) S: Stanavich, Dale (4)

Game Recap: Baseball |

Baseball Takes Opener Over Illinois

Rutkowski allows just one run in seven innings

PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Behind seven strong innings from Harry Rutkowski and timely hitting, Rutgers baseball (20-22) earned a 3-2 win in the series opener against Illinois (21-21) Friday at Bainton Field. The Scarlet Knights have now defeated every team in the Big Ten at least once this season.
 
"Harry was really good, maybe the best I've seen him all year," head coach Steve Owens said. "Illinois is a good hitting club and he did a super job of staying in good counts with a good changeup, fastball and breaking ball. We took advantage of opportunities offensively. Richie, Kevin and Jordan all had RBIs in big spots. I thought it was a complete game for us."
 
Making his 44th career start and 30th to open a weekend, Rutkowski retired 11 of the first 12 batters faced and posted six-straight zeroes. The Fighting Illini scored one in the seventh, but the left-hander sat down the next hitter to log his seventh quality start of the year and sixth of at least seven frames. Overall, he scattered six hits, walked just one and struck out five, recording 10 outs on the ground. Rutkowski ranks tied for third in program history with 44 starts, third with 221 strikeouts and 10th with 249.2 innings pitched as a Scarlet Knight.
 
Offensively, Evan Sleight went 3-for-3 with a sacrifice bunt for his third three-hit game of the season. Kevin Welsh and Richie Schiekofer both notched two-out RBI doubles, while Jordan Sweeney lifted a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the eighth inning. Danny DiGeorgio added a single to extend his hitting streak to 12, as Chris Brito and Schiekofer have now both boarded the bases in 15-straight games.
 
Dale Stanavich struck out the side in the ninth inning for his fourth save. RU is up to 15 saves overall, tied for fifth-most in a season in school history.
 
Illinois starter Andrew Hoffmann allowed two runs and six hits with three strikeouts in 6.2 innings. Ty Rybarczyk took the loss with a run permitted in relief.
 
The Scarlet Knights improved to 8-1 when holding an opponent to two runs or less and played errorless defense for the 15th time in 2021.
SCORING
  • B4 | Brito worked a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a single from Sleight. Then with two down, Welsh delivered an RBI double down the left-field line to put the Scarlet Knights in front.
  • T7 | Illinois tied the game with a two-out RBI single by Cal Hejza.
  • B7 | With two outs, both Mike Nyisztor and Schiekofer ripped doubles for put Rutgers back on top, 2-1.
  • T8 | The Fighting Illini evened the game with a walk, sacrifice bunt, stolen base and sacrifice fly.
  • B8 | Sleight connected for a one-out single and advanced on a single by Ryan Lasko. Welsh walked to load the bases for Sweeney, who lifted a 1-2 pitch to the warning track in right field to chase in Sleight.
 
UP NEXT
Game two of the series is set for Saturday at 1 p.m. Watch on Big Ten Network+ or listen on WRSU 88.7-FM.
 
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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