The Rutgers baseball team swept Illinois during a three-game series over the first weekend of May.
Game 1: Rutgers 9, Illinois 7
In the first game, Illinois took an early lead with a three-run homer by Collin Jennings in the top of the first inning. Rutgers responded with a solo home run from Ty Doucette in the bottom of the first. The Scarlet Knights continued to chip away at the Illini lead, tying the game in the fourth inning with an RBI triple. Illinois then regained the lead in the top of the fifth, but Rutgers continued to fight, scoring four runs in the bottom half. Illinois then tied the game in the sixth with a three-run home run by Cameron Chee-Aloy. Rutgers regained the lead and kept it with an RBI single, ending the game with a win 9-7.
Game 2: Rutgers 7, Illinois 5
In the second game of the weekend, Rutgers came out strong, stopping an early home run by catching the ball at the back wall, leading to a bottom of the first with two runs in. Jumping to the bottom of the third inning, Pablo Santos grabbed another RBI, leading two more runners in making it 4-0. Rutgers pitcher Justin Shadek had three strikeouts heading into the fifth on the mound. Ryan Bradley stepped in on the mound, leading to a double play to end the top of the fifth, with Illinois only getting one run. Rutgers got back out there with a two-run extra-base hit from Santos. Illinois wasn’t out of this game in the sixth inning, coming back to make the score 6-5 Rutgers. With a double play, a steal to home, and a scoreless inning from Illinois in the eighth inning from Rutgers, the Scarlet Knights put away this game 7-5 with a win.
Game 3: Rutgers 12, Illinois 5
In their final match-up on May 3, Rutgers capped the series sweep over Illinois. The Scarlet Knights delivered to finish the series with four scoreless innings with a convincing 12-5 victory. Rutgers started hot with six runs in the first two innings, including a double and three singles. With multiple great hits on the day, and an excellent performance on the mound by the relievers.
Rutgers advances to 24-24 on the season and 12-12 in the BIG EAST, while Illinois goes to 26-19. Their next game is at home against Rider University on May 7 at 6 p.m.
