HOBOKEN, N.J. (March 9, 2008) – Sophomore outfielder Mark Rasulo went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a pair of runs scored as the Stevens Institute of Technology baseball team fell to Rutgers University of Newark Sunday afternoon in Hoboken, N.J. The Ducks struck early having posted three runs in the first two innings, however the bats went dead and four errors in the field proved to be to much as the game went to the Scarlet Raiders in a 7-4 outcome.
Rutgers-Newark opened things up in the top of the first after freshman infielder Matt Connors (Hasbrouck Heights, N.J.) walked to reach base. Some small ball by the Scarlet Raiders put Connors in scoring position as he stood 90 feet from home. A wild pitch from senior righty Scott Picerno allowed Rutgers-Newark to put the first run on the board.
In the bottom half of the inning, the Ducks responded as Rasulo led things off with a single to left field. He then stole second and was bunted over by freshman infielder Matt Glassman. With Rasulo now on third, freshman infielder Ken Meerendonk knocked him in with a single to right field.
The Scarlet Raiders added a pair runs in the top of the second off the bats of Connors and junior outfielder Brian Gill (Manasquan, N.J.). Stevens retaliated in the bottom of the inning with two runs of its own. Freshman catcher Denis Ackermann led the inning off with a single to right field. The following batter, sophomore outfielder Anthony Andrews, singled to left center. With one out and men on first and second, freshman outfielder Brian Skocypec drove in Ackermann with a single to right centerfield. The ensuing batter, sophomore infielder Eddie Daniele loaded the bases for the Ducks off a bunt down the left side. Rasulo singled up the middle to score Andrews from third. Glassman hit into a double play to stop the bleeding and keep the game knotted at 3-all.
After two scoreless innings, the Scarlet Raiders broke the tie with two runs in the top of the fifth. Senior infielder Dan Zika (Kenilworth, N.J.) and senior outfielder Doug Ford (Neptune, N.J.) crossed the plate for Rutgers-Newark. Two more runs in the top of the eight secured the win for the Scarlet Raiders as the Ducks were only able to post a late run in the bottom of the ninth to closeout the game 7-4.
For Stevens (2-6), senior first baseman John Frustaci batted 2-for-4 with an RBI. Skocypec also went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Picerno was tagged with the loss (0-3) as he threw for five innings with three earned runs on seven hits.
The Scarlet Raiders (1-3) were led by Connors, who went 3-for-3 with a double, RBI and two runs scored. Zika batted 1-for-3 with a pair of runs. Ford notched three hits on five at-bats and crossed the plate twice for Rutgers-Newark. Sophomore third baseman Joe Furnaguera (Springfield, N.J.) went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored. Junior lefty Kevin Matawa (Wood-Ridge, N.J.) earned the win as he threw for six innings giving up three earned runs on 11 hits. Freshman pitcher Billy Cerutti (Oceanport, N.J.) was lights out as he pitched for three innings, allowing just one run on one hit and struck out six batters.
The Ducks will return to action on Wednesday when they host SUNY College at Old Westbury, which is scheduled for a 3 p.m. start.
