THOUSAND OAKS, CA – Junior leftfielder Michael Cassese hammered three home runs and drove in eight to help Rutgers-Newark fend off California Lutheran, 17-12, in the opening game of a doubleheader on the first day of the California Invitational. 

Rutgers-Newark 17, Cal Lutheran 12

Cassese, who went four for six with eight RBIs, delivered a 3-run home run in the fourth to help fuel the Scarlet Raiders (3-5) to a 10-2 lead, but the Kingsmen (12-8) posted eight runs against junior starter Ryan Williams in the sixth inning to knot the score at 10-10. Senior reliever John Kuder (1-1) gave up back-to-back singles to allow the final two runs before getting out of the inning.

Cassese's 2-run blast to right in the seventh capped a 3-run outburst and followed an RBI double by junior second baseman Matt Connors.

In the eighth, Cassese's' 2-out, 3-run homer to right boosted the Raiders into a 16-10 lead. All three shots went over the rightfield wall.

Sophomore reliever Nick Evans replaced Kuder with no one out and two on in the bottom of the seventh, quelling a possible uprising by snaring a line drive back up the middle and doubling off a runner at first to end the threat.

Senior Michael Hansen replaced Evans after a 2-run homer by Cal Lutheran centerfielder Matt Martin in the eighth, getting a 6-out save by allowing just one hit and a walk while striking out three.

Connors went three for five, drove in two runs and scored twice while senior designated hitter Anthony Yeswita had a pair of doubles while going three for six and scoring two runs.  Senior third baseman Joe Furnaguera, who went three for six, ignited a 3-run fifth inning with a lead-off home run.

The nightcap began at approximately 6:05 p.m. (EDT).