Rutgers Baseball Set For Crucial Doubleheader At Minnesota After Walk-Off Series Win Against Illinois

Bob did a great job covering the team’s chances last week and they stayed alive with a series win against Illinois capped by a four run 9th inning to stun the Illini in the rubber game, 8-7. Tom Marcinczyk tied it and then Christian Campbell had the walk off hit to bring RU all the way back from what was a 6-1 deficit and end their home slate on a high note.

The team has a makeup double-header at 3rd place Minnesota today and then will ride the bus to Evanston to finish the season at Northwestern with a crucial three game set. The Knights sit in 10th place with a 7-11 record after leapfrogging Illinois and Ohio State last week, with the top 8 qualifying for the B1G tournament. The top six teams are virtually locks as Indiana is in 6th place at 12-8-1.

After that there could be some level of May Madness for the #7 and #8 spots as Purdue and Northwestern are both 10-11 followed by Michigan State at 9-12, then RU. Illinois sits in 11th at 8-13. Rutgers has five games left, everyone else has three with the following matchups: Purdue @ Minnesota, Rutgers @ Northwestern, Iowa @ Illinois, Michigan @ Michigan State.

Full Standings here.

The Knights have five more games in B1G play, and winning all five will earn them a trip to the B1G party. Winning four, especially if they were to split Minnesota and sweep Northwestern also would likely be enough (unless Purdue and Michigan State both sweep). Winning three would require so much help it would be improbable, surely impossible if some ties or rainouts were sprinkled in around the conference.

We should congratulate Mike Carter and Tom Marcinczyk for joining the elite 200 career hit club for Rutgers baseball last week. Their achievements both this season and career will be covered this weekend.