PISCATAWAY, N.J. (April 26, 2022) – The No. 24 Rutgers baseball team scored early and often on Tuesday afternoon, cruising to an 18-1 victory over Hofstra to improve to 33-9 on the season. 

Tuesday's contest was scoreless for the first two frames, but the Scarlet Knights broke out to hang a 6-spot in the third inning to seize control of the game. Wyatt Parliament tossed a gem and the offense scored in double digits for the second straight game and put up at least 17 runs for the eighth time this season, leading the team to a dominant win to close out its 11-game homestand.

"We ran a little bit today and got some stuff going. There were some good at-bats moving guys around," head coach Steve Owens said. "I think we stayed in a good approach, taking the pitches you can't pull for power and taking your hits where they were. We did a good job of that through the lineup."

With the game tied up at 0-0, Richie Schiekofer led off the third with a walk before Andy Axelson dropped down a perfect sacrifice bunt to push him to second. Ryan Lasko then ripped a single up the middle to put RU up 1-0.

Lasko came around to score again on a ground ball to third, making a nifty slide to avoid the tag at home. Chris Brito then hit a sac fly, Nick Cimillo scored on a passed ball and Tony Santa Maria drove in 2 runs with a single to center field to put Rutgers up 6-0. 

The Scarlet Knights added 3 more in the fourth on a Danny DiGeorgio RBI single and Chris Brito 2-run home run.

In the fifth, Lasko hit an RBI single and DiGeorgio drove him in with a double to score 2 and make it an 11-1 advantage. When it was all said and done, the Scarlet Knights poured on 3 more in the sixth and 4 in the seventh to push it to 18-1. 

While the offense put up more gaudy numbers, Wyatt Parliament was once again in control on the mound. The true freshman earned the win for the fourth straight game, also pitching at least 5.0 innings for the fourth straight game. Parliament worked ahead of batters and threw strikes, only walking one batter in 5.0 innings. his lowest total in a start this season. He would give up just one run on a solo home run and scattered five hits, while striking out three to improve his record to 5-0 and ERA to 2.37.

"He continues to get better," Owens said. "He's got five wins as a freshman. Hofstra has got some good hitters and they don't chase pitches. It was good to see him continue to progress and stay in a good routine."

Parliament was relieved by fellow freshman Matt Rowe, who pitched a scoreless sixth with a strikeout. Parker Scott continued his strong run on the mound, tossing 2.0 scoreless frames with three strikeouts, while Nate McLain finished things off with a scoreless ninth inning, including two strikeouts. 

The 33 wins are the most for Rutgers since 2007, a season where the Scarlet Knights tied the program record with 42 victories. 
 

Up next, Rutgers will hit the road for a three-game series against Ohio State in Columbus, with the first game set for Friday night.
 
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