DAVENPORT, Fla. – In a wild, back-and-forth battle that featured 37 combined runs and 39 hits, Rutgers-Newark fell just short in an 11-inning thriller, dropping a 19-18 decision to Mount Saint Vincent on Tuesday morning.
The Scarlet Raiders offense erupted for 18 runs on 21 hits, putting together one of their most explosive performances of the season. Rutgers-Newark struck early with three runs in the first inning and continued to apply pressure throughout, including a four-run third and a four-run eighth to keep pace in the high-scoring affair.
Rutgers-Newark came out swinging, plating three runs in the opening frame highlighted by a two-RBI single from RJ Kernan. After Mount Saint Vincent responded with a pair of runs, the Scarlet Raiders answered with a four-run third inning to regain control early.
The offense stayed red-hot, as Rutgers-Newark piled up 17 runs through the first eight innings. However, the bottom of the eighth proved to be the turning point, as Mount Saint Vincent erupted for eight runs to pull within striking distance. The Dolphins carried that momentum into the ninth, where they evened the score to force extra innings.
Both teams were held scoreless in the 10th, but the Scarlet Raiders struck first in the 11th when Kernan delivered a sacrifice fly to bring home Michael Weinbel and give Rutgers-Newark an 18-17 lead.
Mount Saint Vincent answered in the bottom half of the inning, using a triple followed by a sacrifice fly to walk it off—marking their first lead of the game and sealing the 19-18 victory.
At the plate, Joseph Bernardo and Malik Little led the way with four hits apiece, while Kernan added three hits and a game-high five RBI in the tough-luck loss.
Rutgers-Newark will continue its spring break slate tomorrow with a matchup against Babson.
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