PISCATAWAY, NJ – A four-run second inning and a three-run third by Rutgers led to a 12-3 defeat of the Iona College baseball team in non-conference action at Bainton Field.
An auspicious start to the contest saw back-to-back doubles by senior LF Jimmy Guiliano and junior 2B Carmine Palummo to lead off the game and give the Gaels an early 1-0 lead.
Rutgers scored seven runs in the second and third innings and five more in the sixth and seventh to account for their 12 runs.
In the top of the sixth the Maroon & Gold plated two runs. With one out, Guiliano and Palummo recorded back-to-back singles. Sophomore 2B Matt Byrne walked to load the bases. Two batters later, sophomore 3B Tyler Bruno drove in two runs with a base hit up the middle.
Bruno, Giuliano and Palummo had two hits apiece. Rookie RF Seth Hoagland tripled with one out in the second inning but was stranded on base.
Freshman RHP Joe DeRosa took the loss. Junior LHP John Nargoski retired all even batters faced in 2.1 inning pitched recording two strikeouts. Rookies Patrick Ryan and Jared Finkel closed the game for the Gaels.
Rutgers’ CF Mike Carter and LF Vinny Zarillo had two hits and three RBI each to lead the Scarlet Knights. Freshman John O’Reilly earned the win, pitching 5.2 innings.
The Gaels are in action this weekend in a four-game series at Wofford.