PISCATAWAY, N.J. – The Lafayette College baseball team fell to Rutgers 13-8 at Bainton Field on Wednesday in a non-conference contest.
Rutgers opened the scoring with five runs in the second, on a two-run single by Andy Axelson, a two-run home run by Maximus Martin and a sacrifice fly by Cameron Love.
The Scarlet Knights added two more runs in the bottom of the third inning on a Lafayette error, which extended the Rutgers lead to 7-0.
Lafayette responded with three runs in the top of the fourth. Senior Pete Ciuffreda walked and was followed by senior Seif ingram, who singled up the middle which put runners on first and second for senior Kyle Chmielewski. Chmielewski ripped an RBI-double down the left field line which scored Ciuffreda from second. The next batter, senior Patrick Vandenbergh, hit an RBI-groundout and junior Michael Mallas hit an RBI-double to left field, which made the score 7-3.
Rutgers countered with three runs of its own in the bottom of the fourth, on an RBI-fielder's choice by Jordan Sweeney and an RBI-single to left field by Chris Brito, making the score 10-3.
The Scarlet Knights added another three runs to their tally in the fifth, on a walk and a hit-by-pitch with the bases-loaded, and a Lafayette error, bringing the score to 13-3.
Lafayette struck back in the sixth when Ingram singled to lead off the inning, sophomore Ben Petrone singled to right field and Mallas drew a walk to load the bases. Junior Justin Grech and junior Bo Planeta followed with consecutive RBI-singles. With the bases still loaded, sophomore Kaleb Willis drew a walk, cutting the Rutgers lead to 13-6.
The Leopards scored two more runs in the ninth. With two outs, junior Blaze Fadio walked and then Ciuffreda singled to left field. The next batter, Ingram, ripped a two-run triple to left field, making the final score 13-8.
Sam Portnoy was credited with the win for Rutgers. Portnoy pitched 1.2 innings, giving up no runs, and recorded a strike out. Sophomore Jacob Maurer took the loss for Lafayette. Maurer pitched 1.1 innings and gave up three hits and three runs.
The Leopards are next in action when they begin Patriot League play at Bucknell on Saturday with a doubleheader that starts at noon.
