NEW YORK – Rutgers used a five-run third inning on its way to an 8-5 win over the Columbia baseball team Tuesday afternoon. The Scarlet Knights (16-21) recorded 14 hits, highlighted by back-to-back homers from Carmen Sclafani and Chris Brito in the third.
The Lions (16-17) did have opportunities throughout the game, racking up 11 hits of their own, but stranded 11 men on base and Rutgers came up with some timely double plays to thwart rallies.
The teams traded runs in the second inning on Peter Serruto's RBI single in the top of the inning followed by a solo homer from Josh Nicoloff in the bottom of the frame to make it 1-1.
However, Rutgers posted a leadoff single and an error and wild pitch moved Mike Nyisztor to third for Tim Dezzi, who singled to plate the go-ahead run. A walk set the stage for Sclafani's fifth homer of the season and Brito yanked one just inside the foul pole to give the Scarlet Knights a 6-1 cushion.
After Rutgers added an insurance run in the fourth, the Lions loaded the bases, but had to settle for two runs via fielder's choice and a fielding error.
Sclafani doubled in his fourth RBI of the afternoon in the seventh before one last comeback bid from Columbia in the ninth.
Joe Engel started things off with a double while Nicoloff and Ben Porter drew walks to load the bases. Once again, the Lions scored two runs without registering a hit after a Joshua Solomon sacrifice fly and a balk with Porter on third. Columbia still had the tying run on deck with two away before Garrett French fielded a come backer and tossed to first for the final out.
Five players notched two hits in the game, anchored by Nicoloff's 2-for-3 performance with two runs scored. Sean Higgins started and fell to 1-4, pitching 2.0 innings of two-run ball. Lucas Hall and Dan Harrington each worked scoreless frames late in the contest.
For Rutgers, Jared Bellissimo lasted 6.0 innings, allowing two earned runs on eight hits with five strikeouts. Dezzi and Sclafani each posted three hits.
Columbia takes a one-game lead over Harvard in the Ivy League standings into Cambridge to face off against the Crimson this weekend. The penultimate Ivy League regular season series is set for April 27-28. All three contests are slated to be broadcast on ESPN+.
