FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Indiana State baseball team scored two runs in the top of the ninth to secure a series opening, 3-1 victory over Rutgers during a neutral site game at City of Palms Park in Fort Myers, Florida Friday night.
 
Senior Joe Boyle would score the go-ahead run on a Luke Fegen double down the line in left. The Sycamores would add an insurance run the very next at bat when Max Wright doubled to right field to plate Fegen. Boyle kicked off the inning with a leadoff walk and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Jarrod Watkins.
 
The Sycamores (17-2) would need the ninth-inning rally after Rutgers tied the game in the bottom of the eighth after Mike Nyisztor tallied a one-out single through the right side of the infield. The Scarlet Knights then drew a walk to put Nyisztor in scoring position. Dezzi slapped a ball down the line in right to score Nyisztor from second and tie the game.
 
Left-hander Tyler Grauer (1-1) would get out of the inning with back-to-back strikeouts and go on to fan three more Rutgers hitters in the ninth to retire five-of-six batters he faced on strikeouts en route to his first win of the season in relief.
 
Starting pitcher Triston Polley went seven complete in the no decision, allowing just three base hits, striking out five and issuing four walks.
 
In a pitcher's duel throughout the game, it wasn't until the sixth inning that the Sycamores were able to notch a run.  That would come off the bat of Roby Enriquez who recorded a sacrifice fly to score CJ Huntley who reached on a bunt attempt and moved to second on a throwing error to leadoff the inning.
 
The Sycamore defense was strong throughout, helping Polley out of two early jams with conventional double plays. In the fourth though, centerfielder Luke Fegen would make a great play in center and double up a runner heading back to first.
 
ISU outhit Rutgers 8-6 in the game led by Clay Dungan and Fegen who finished with two apiece. Huntley, Wright, Watkins and Enriquez also tallied hits in the ballgame.
 
Harry Rutkowski went seven innings and allowed just one run (unearned) while retiring four Sycamores on strikeouts. Chris Brito would be charged with the loss after giving up two in the ninth, falling to 3-2.
 
Indiana State will look to clinch the series with Rutgers Saturday at 6 p.m. from City of Palms Park. Right-hander Collin Liberatore is scheduled to make the start on the mound for ISU.
 
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