Rutgers Baseball picks up historic series victory over No. 17 Michigan

Rutgers Baseball dropped game one to No. 17 Michigan but took the final two as they picked up a statement series victory in Ann Arbor over the weekend.

This series victory marked the first for the Scarlet Knights on the road against a ranked opponent, and first overall since taking two of three from No. 15 Iowa back in 2015. It was also their first series victory against the Wolverines since joining the Big Ten. Rutgers has pitched well all season long and that carried them once again.

On Friday, the Scarlet Knights got out of the gate early with a three-run double by Evan Sleight. The offense would be stymied from that point on. Michigan scored four runs in five innings off Harry Rutkowski to take game one from Rutgers.

The starting pitching would step up over the next two contests.

It began with Ben Wereski. The grad transfer from Columbia has been brilliant all season and that continued against Michigan. He went 7.2 innings on Saturday allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out six. Wereski allowed both runs in the bottom of the fifth but the Scarlet Knights answered right away.

Richie Schiekofer cleared the bases with a three-run double to put Rutgers on top. Jordan Sweeney would add the insurance run on a single that scored Schiekofer. The game would end 4-2 setting up a rubber match on Sunday.

Wereski improved to 5-2 on the year and lowered his ERA to 2.79, which is good for sixth in the Big Ten. On Sunday, Brent Teller came out and turned in a similar performance.

Teller was hitless through six innings and this allowed the Scarlet Knights to grab a 3-0 lead. Ryan Lasko, who has been named Big Ten Freshman of the Week three times, launched his ninth home run of the season in the top of the third. Lasko is now tied for third in the conference in home runs. Kevin Welsh picked up an RBI on a sacrifice fly in the fourth.

The offense gave Teller an early lead and he made it stand with ease. He cruised through 7.1 innings allowing two earned runs on two hits and striking out eight. Justin Sinibaldi would come in and get the final four outs of the game to record his first save of the season.

The Scarlet Knights are being led by their underclassman in the field and the veterans are getting it done on the mound. Rutgers is now 14-13 on the year and have won their last three series on the road.

This victory over Michigan gives the Scarlet Knights one of the best series victories since joining the Big Ten.