Tag: Ben Gorski

Rutgers baseball Ben Gorski and Sam Portnoy was named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watchlist

Rutgers baseball Ben Gorski and Sam Portnoy was named to the NCBWA Stopper of the Year Watchlist as the top relievers in the country.

On Monday, Rutgers baseball Ben Gorski and Sam Portnoy were named to the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Watchlist as the top relievers in the country.

The Scarlet Knights are coming off a three-game sweep over Winthrop Eagles last weekend, where Gorski and Portnoy contributed to those victories.

Gorski made his 2024 season debut on Sunday, facing three batters in the bottom of the fifth inning to hold Rutgers’ 5-3 lead. The Chatman, New Jersey native recorded six pitches, logging one fly out to center field and a line out to right field, doubling off a baserunner at first base.

Last season, Gorski recorded his best season as a Scarlet Knight. He logged a 3.40 ERA with eight saves and 46 strikeouts in 39.2 innings pitched. In 2023, Gorski was named to the All-Big Ten Third Team and was the Big Ten Co-Pitcher of the Week (3/13/2023).

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As for Portnoy, the Rutgers reliever made his 2024 debut on Sunday but did not have a strong start like Gorski. Portnoy logged 25 pitches, letting up two earned runs with two walks and a hit, facing seven batters.

In three seasons with the Scarlet Knights, the Voorhees, New Jersey native has logged a 3.72 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 58 innings pitched. Portnoy has recorded a 6-1 record with one save, appearing in 42 games for the Scarlet Knights.

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Rutgers baseball heads to Indiana for a three-game series against Purdue

Rutgers baseball (25-16) heads to West Lafayette, Indiana, to take on the Purdue Boilermakers (19-21) for a weekend three-game series.

After a midweek victory over St. Johns, Rutgers baseball is currently sixth in the Big Ten Conference, riding a six-game winning streak. In their last 10 games, Rutgers is 9-1 with series wins over Big Ten rivals Michigan and Northwestern.

Rutgers baseball (25-16, 7-5 Big Ten) heads to West Lafayette, IN to take on the Purdue Boilermakers (19-21, 8-7 Big Ten) for a weekend three-game series.

The Boilermakers are eighth in the Big Ten, riding a three-game losing streak. Purdue is 5-5 in the last ten games, dropping two of three games to Maryland in their previous conference play.

The Scarlet Knights are above average in batting, pitching, and fielding within the Big Ten conference. Rutgers is ranked sixth in team batting average (.297), second in team pitching (4.48 ERA), and third in fielding (38 errors).

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The Boilermakers are lagging behind the Scarlet Knights in the conference with below-averaging rankings for batting, pitching, and fielding. Purdue is ranked eighth in team batting average (.281), sixth in team pitching (5.18), and 11th in fielding (47 errors).

Players to watch

Rutgers closer Ben Gorski is a player to watch in this three-game series. Gorski has been on fire this season, ranking fourth in saves (5) among the Big Ten conference. The Rutgers closer has an earned run average of 1.63 in 27.2 innings pitched. Gorski has 38 strikeouts with an opposing batting average of .138. Gorski has only allowed one extra-base hit within 112 batters he has faced.

Purdue outfield Mike Bolton Jr. is a player to watch on the bases for the Boilermakers. Bolton is the Big Ten leader in steals with 25. Along with Bolton, Purdue infielder Paul Toetz is a player to watch in this series. Toetz is tied for fifth in the Big Ten with 46 RBIs.

Game 1 Date: April 27th Friday 6 PM
Game 2 Date: April 28th Saturday 5 PM
Game 3 Date: April 29th Sunday 12 PM

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Ben Gorski has been a bright spot in the Rutgers baseball bullpen

Rutgers baseball is getting a strong season from Ben Gorski.

Entering the 2023 campaign, Ben Gorski was coming off the best season of his collegiate career. In 23 appearances last year, the New Jersey native posted a 4.14 ERA in a career-high 37 innings. Through the first few weeks of the 2023 season, Gorski has built on his success and taken his game to another level.

Rutgers is now 10-8 on the season after Sunday’s win over Mercer.

Through 11 innings of work, Gorski has posted a 1.64 ERA and struck out 16 batters. The Chatham High School product has been nearly unhittable and held opponents to a .086 batting average. Regardless of the opportunity, he has proven to be a reliable arm.

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Additionally, the talented righthander has added two saves to his resume. He only had one during his first two seasons as a Scarlet Knight. Gorski is the only player on the Rutgers roster with multiple saves this season. His success has been due to his ability to limit hard contact.

In six appearances, Gorski has allowed one extra-base hit. The Chatham High School product had allowed 19 through his first two years as a Scarlet Knight. Even when batters have reached base, he has shown the ability to work out of trouble.

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As Rutgers looks to make a playoff run, Gorski will be an essential piece. He has proven to be a trustworthy arm and performed well in high-leverage situations. Those qualities will be critical down the stretch as Gorski looks to prove that his impressive start is no fluke.

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