Rutgers baseball (12-11) played their series finale against UConn (16-5) on Sunday, dropping their third consecutive game to the Huskies 9-7. The Scarlet Knights kicked off the series against the Huskies on Friday, losing both games of the doubleheader 9-8 (11 innings) and 6-5. With three straight losses, the Scarlet Knights are eighth in the Big Ten standings with a 12-11 overall record. After being swept, Rutgers’ away record (8-9) has fallen below .500.
Game 1
In game one, Rutgers jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the top of the second inning. Outfielder Evan Sleight blasted a solo home run, providing the first run of the game. Shortly after, catcher Andy Axelson and outfielder Ryan Lasko contributed RBIs singles, giving Rutgers a 3-0 lead.
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The Huskies would storm back, taking a 7-5 lead in the bottom of the seventh, but the Scarlet Knights didn’t quit. In the top of the eighth, the Scarlet Knights took an 8-7 lead when second baseman Cameron Love blasted a two-run double. UConn tied the game in the bottom of the ninth, forcing extra innings. The Huskies walked it off with an RBI single in the bottom of the 11th inning to give UConn the victory.
Game 2
In the second game of the doubleheader on Friday, Rutgers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. Axelson contributed another RBI when he drove in Jordan Sweeney to give Rutgers the early lead. UConn blasted a grand slam in the bottom of the second, giving the Huskies a 4-1 lead over the Scarlet Knights. Rutgers battled back in the ninth but fell short, giving the Huskies a 6-5 victory.
Game 3
The Huskies kept their foot on the gas and defeated the Scarlet Knights 9-7 in their series finale. UConn scored all nine of their runs via the long ball, hitting five home runs on the day.
The Scarlet Knights opened the game with an early lead for the third straight game. Rutgers started the game with a solo home run by Rylan Lasko, giving the Scarlet Knights the early lead. The Scarlet Knights added a second run in the top of the first, but UConn would tie the game in the bottom half with two solo home runs.
RYAN LASKO FOR THE LEAD IN THE 8TH!!
His second big fly of the game puts us up 7-6 on UConn!!#TCD pic.twitter.com/Aoo7tiz9Iw
— Rutgers Baseball (@RutgersBaseball) March 26, 2023
The Scarlet Knights grabbed the lead late in the top of the eighth when Lasko belted his second home run, giving Rutgers a 7-6 lead. With UConn down to their last out, the Huskies would walk it off with a three-run home run to complete the sweep. Rutgers is back in action on Wednesday when they take on NJIT at Bainton Field.
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