Pictured Above: Freshman Nick D'Amore, who went 2-for-4 at the plate with one of the two RBIs for the Seahawks today at Rutgers (Photo Credit: Jamie Bustos)

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Piscataway, NJ - Despite taking an early 1-0 lead after two innings of play, the Wagner baseball team dropped its second straight contest, falling to Big Ten members, Rutgers University, 9-2, on Tuesday afternoon at Bainton Field.

The loss drops the Seahawks to 1-3 on the young season while the Scarlet Knights improve to 2-5 on the year. These two clubs are scheduled to meet again on May 2 in Piscataway, NJ. 

The Green & White notched eight hits on the day, two of which coming from freshman 3B Nick D'Amore (Philadelphia, PA/Neumann-Goretti) as he finished 2-of-4 with a RBI. Junior DH Anthony Godino (Thornwood, NY/Pleasantville) drove in the other Seahawk run while ending the day 1-for-3. 

Sophomore LHP Neil Abbatiello (North Salem, NY/Dobbs Ferry) took the start this afternoon, lasting three innings while surrendering five hits, five earned runs while walking two and striking out four batters. 

Christian Campbell, who started for Rutgers, earned his first win of the season, tossing seven innings of four-hit ball, giving up just two earned runs while striking out four and not yielding a walk. At the plate, he went 1-for-4 with 2 RBIs. Jawaun Harris went 2-for-5 with a double, triple and two runs scored while Mike Carter, hitting behind Harris, went 2-for-4 with a run scored and a RBI. Luke Bowerbank chipped in two RBIs to in three at-bats. 

The Green & White took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second. A leadoff single by sophomore 2B Anthony Pecora (Mamaroneck, NY/Mamaroneck), who scored following a balk and a RBI single from D'Amore. 

Rutgers went put up four runs in the bottom of the third to take a three-run lead. Nick Matera doubled to left field while Carmen Sclafani drew a walk with Matera moving to third on a passed ball. A pickoff attempt at first base sailed wide of the bag, allowing Matera to cross the plate. Bowerbank singled to right field allowed Scalfani to score. A Harris double to left gave the Scarlet Knights runners at second and third with nobody out. Following a Carter popup to first, Campbell singled up the middle, clearing the bases to cap the four-run outburst.

Rutgers tacked on a run in the bottom of the fourth after Kevin Welsh tripled to kicked off the frame and scored on a double play ball. Two more runs in the fifth gave the Scarlet Knights a 7-1 lead as Harris tripled to center and was driven home on Carter's RBI single and Carter came around to score on a single from Milo Freeman. 

The Seahawks scored in their half of the seventh to make it 7-2 as Godino lofted a high fly to center that was caught by Harris but was deep enough to score Pecora, who tagged up on the play.  Rutgers ended the game with two more in the bottom of the eighth to secure the victory. 

Wagner will remain on the road as they will head down to Towson, MD for a weekend set against the Tigers, March 3rd through March 5

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