Box Score PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Left-hander
Nicholas Rizzo delivered his best start of the season this afternoon, allowing just one run over four innings. However, a late eighth-inning rally by Rutgers propelled the Scarlet Knights to a 5-1 victory over the Seawolves on Wednesday.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- James Schaffer opened the game with a walk, followed by a walk from Matthew Jackson to start the top of the first inning, but the Scarlet Knights recorded three straight outs to end the Seawolves' threat. Rizzo took the mound for Stony Brook and allowed a first-inning run but stranded two runners on a 5-4-3 double play to close the frame.
- Nicholas Dromboski recorded the first hit of the game for the Seawolves in the second inning with a one-out single to center but was caught stealing, ending the threat. Rizzo worked out of trouble by stranding two runners with a groundout to second, keeping the score 1-0 after two innings.
- Stony Brook answered in the top of the third to tie the game at 1-1. With two outs, Johnny Pilla delivered a clutch RBI single that brought home Luke Szepek. After allowing a lead-off hit by pitch, Rizzo retired the next three batters to maintain the tie heading into the fourth inning.
- Following a scoreless fourth for the Seawolves, Rizzo continued to dominate, retiring the Scarlet Knights in order to complete the frame. Rutgers held Pilla to just a single with two outs to end the top of the fifth. Rizzo finished his day with four innings pitched, allowing one run and striking out two. Dylan Henshaw entered in relief and recorded a 1-2-3 inning in the fifth.
- The Seawolves were retired in order in the top of the sixth, and Henshaw returned for the bottom of the inning. He allowed a two-out walk but secured the final out to keep the game tied after six innings.
- In the seventh, Zampieron led off with a walk, followed by a single from Dromboski. Szepek's sacrifice bunt advanced both runners into scoring position. After a Stony Brook strikeout, Jackson walked to load the bases, but the Scarlet Knights escaped the jam with a flyout to center.
- Aidan Colagrande entered in relief in the bottom of the seventh and struck out the lone batter he faced. Christian Martinez then relieved Colagrande, recording the final two outs of the frame.
- Rutgers erupted in the bottom of the eighth, loading the bases with one out. Evan Kay entered, and the Scarlet Knights took the lead on a balk to make it 2-1. Rutgers would add three more runs to take a 5-1 advantage. The Seawolves were held scoreless in the final top inning, giving the road team a 5-1 victory over Stony Brook.
UP NEXT
The Stony Brook baseball team returns to Joe Nathan Field this weekend for their home-opening series against Northeastern University. First pitch on Friday is set for 2:00 p.m., with Micah Worely slated to take the mound.
