DAVENPORT, Fla. - Rutgers-Newark baseball (8-8) concluded its segment of the Russ Matt Central Florida Invitational on a high note, as the Scarlet Raiders defeated the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 14-2 in a run-rule decision in its last game of the tournament.
Rutgers-Newark established a solid foundation, scoring four runs in the top of the first. Matthew Toretto was the highlight of the opening inning with a three-run double, giving Rutgers-Newark an early cushion. The offense did not stop there, as Rutgers-Newark pushed across two more runs in the second and a single tally in the fourth and fifth to take an 8-0 advantage.
MCLA would score two runs in the bottom of the sixth, but by then, it was clear it would not be the Trailblazers' day as MCLA trailed by four scores and failed to overcome the deficit.
In the top of the eighth inning, Rutgers-Newark closed out the scoring with a six-run frame. After the first two batters got hit by a pitch and a walk subsequently loaded the bases, Joey Bernardo became a hit batsman himself to bring in the first run of the inning. Ulisses Ferraz also earned a bases-loaded walk to push in another run. The final blow came from Dario Morales, who stepped up and hit a grand slam over the left center fence for a 14-2 Raiders advantage.
Several Raiders contributed at the plate. Michael Weinbel was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and two RBIs. Morales was 3-for-4 with three runs scored and four RBIs. Toretto was 3-for-5 with four RBIs as well.
On the mound, Bobby Portman picked up the win as he pitched 6.0 innings with two earned runs allowed and four strikeouts. For MCLA, Joshua Bissaillo took the loss as he pitched 3.0 innings with seven earned runs (nine total) and two strikeouts.
With the win, Rutgers-Newark closed out their tournament with a 14-2 victory featuring offensive prowess and pitching depth.
Rutgers-Newark returns home to host Franklin and Marshall College in a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 12 p.m. at Weequahic Park.
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