UPDATED: 3/27 3:45 P.M.

WEST HARRISON, N.Y. I Due to a lights issue, the Rutgers University-Newark baseball team had its non-conference matchup at Baruch College suspended in the top of the eighth. After a prior game pushed first pitch back to 7:30 p.m., the teams had to suspend action at 10:30 p.m. Today, the Athletic Directors decided to call the game final, dealing a loss to the Scarlet Raiders and a victory for the Bearcats.

Before the lights went out, the squads were producing fireworks of their own early in the contest. Junior Connor Clare got the Scarlet Raiders off to a fast start, blasting a hit into the right-center field gap in the top of the first and racing home for an inside-the-park homer.

Still, the Bearcats responded quickly with a big four-run frame in the bottom of the second to put the visitors in a hole.

R-N would not be deterred and struck right back in the top half of the third. Junior John Klimowich began the rally with a one-out base knock to center. Senior Dominic Magliaro was hit by the pitcher before a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position. Soon, the bases were loaded as Clare reach on an error in the infield. Following a strikeout, junior Kevin Tamsula stepped up to the plate in a big spot. The veteran infielder delivered, ripping a double into right that cleared the bases and tied the game at 4-4.

After those early offensive explosions, the teams largely remained in check. Despite the rocky start from sophomore Eric Morales, rookie David Vasquez came in and provided excellent relief. The freshman hurler went 4.1 innings, scattering three hits and two walks while striking out two and keeping Baruch off the board.

However, the Bearcats were able to reclaim their advantage in the seventh. The first three runners reached with the last smacking an RBI double to make it 5-4 and set up the hosts for a big inning with two players in scoring position and no outs. Still, freshman Tyler Searles recovered for the Raiders, forcing a groundout to first and then getting a huge 6-4-3 double play to end the frame two batters later with minimal harm done.

Tamsula had Rutgers-Newark in great position to tie the contest when the lights went out as he led off the eighth with a triple to deep center. The game was suspended with one out and Tamsula on third with the Scarlet Raiders trailing 5-4.