PISCATAWAY, N.J.–Rutgers baseball is back at Bainton Field this weekend for a three-game series against No. 21/23 Nebraska.
Game one is set for a 6 p.m. first pitch on Friday evening, followed by a 3 p.m. start on Saturday and 12 p.m. finale on Sunday, which will be broadcast live on Big Ten Network, the first time a Rutgers home game will be broadcast nationally.
Rutgers is coming off a home sweep at the hands of Purdue, with all three losses coming by two runs. RU snapped a five-game losing streak on Tuesday with an 8-1 victory at Seton Hall.
Nebraska sits atop the Big Ten standing with a 5-1 conference record and most recently took two-of-three from Ohio State. The Cornhuskers are the lone Big Ten team ranked in the top 25.
Friday and Saturday's games will be streamed on Big Ten Plus, with Sunday's game live on Big Ten Network.
Fans can also follow along on X (@RutgersBaseball) for live updates. Live stats will be available here.
| Date | Time (ET) | Coverage | Rutgers (20-12, 1-5 Big Ten) | No. 21/23 Nebraska (22-8, 5-1Big Ten) |
| Fri. 4/12 | 6 p.m. | B1G+ |Live Stats | LHP Justin Sinibaldi | RHP Brett Sears |
| Sat. 4/13 | 3 p.m. | B1G+|Live Stats | RHP Jake Marshall | RHP Mason McConnaughey |
| Sun. 4/14 | 12 p.m. | BTN|Live Stats | RHP Christian Coppola | RHPDrew Christo |
Weekend Promotions
Friday, April 12 | Youth Day
- Bring your team to participate in on field experiencesand cheer on Rutgers baseball with Sir Henry!
Saturday, April 13| Dollar Dog Day
- $1 Hot Dogs
Sunday, April 14| Boy Scout Day,Trading Card Giveaway
Series History
Rutgers is 9-12 all-time against Nebraska, including a 9-8 mark in Big Ten games. The Scarlet Knights fell to the Cornhuskers 9-7 in last year's Big Ten Tournament, while RU won the last series between the teams, a three-game sweep in Lincoln in 2022.
Last Time Out
Rutgers was swept last weekend at home by Purdue. After rallying to tie game one in the ninth, the Scarlet Knights fell 5-3 in 10 innings.
In game two, RU took a 6-5 lead into the ninth, but a three-run homer for the Boilermakers gave them the 8-6 victory. The Scarlet Knights then fell again in the series finale by a score of 5-3
In Tuesday's midweek game, Rutgers traveled to Seton Hall and defeated the Pirates 8-1 in wire-to-wire fashion.
LeftSide, Strong Side
The Scarlet Knights boast one of the top left sides of the infield in the entire country. SS Josh Kuroda-Grauer (#5) and 3B Tony Santa Maria (#13) are both ranked among the best at their respective positions by D1Baseball.com at the midpoint of the season.
Kuroda-Grauer was named to the Golden Spikes Award Midseason Watch List and a Midseason First Team All-American by Perfect Game.
The duo has been the engine that powers RU's Big-Ten best offense and have the numbers to back it up.
Kuroda-Grauer is batting .423 to lead the Big Ten and his 58 hits lead the conference and are third in the country. His 83 total bases also lead the Big Ten, while his 18 stolen bases are second.
After missing 2023 with injury, Santa Maria ranks among the Big Ten's best with nine home runs (first), .636 slugging percentage (fourth), 39 runs (second) and 16 hit-by-pitches (second).
Rotation Continuity
After having to replace the entire starting rotation in back-to-back seasons, Rutgers has enjoyed continuity on the mound in 2024.
Justin Sinibaldi, Zack Konstantinovsky and Christian Coppola have started every weekend game this season and despite the absence of Konstantinovsky this weekend, Sinibaldi and Coppola are primed to make their ninth weekend starts in as many weeks.
Sinibaldi has four outings of seven-plus innings, has gone eight-plus in three of his last six stars and was named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week after a shutout against UConn.
Coppola was named Big Ten Pitcher of the Week in February after a six-inning, nine-strikeout performance at Old Dominion and earned the win against UConn with 5.2 innings, three runs and six strikeouts.
Right Side Breakout
The right side of the RU infield has enjoyed a pair of breakout seasons thus far. Senior Cameron Love is having a career year in his final season on the Banks. His .347 average is fourthon the team, while his 15 extra-base hits are third and he already has a career high with three home runs.
Freshman Ty Doucette has emerged after missing 10 games with injury. His six home runs are already second-most on the team and his
StaffUpdates
Head Coach Steve Owens announced a number of changes to his staff ahead of the 2024 season. Mike Garza was promoted to hitting coach after serving two years as a volunteer assistant.
With the NCAA increasing the number of full-time assistant coaches from two to three, Owens added Danny Bethea to the staff from St. John's. In his role, Bethea works with the team's catchers, offense and will coach first base.
Jack Arend also joined the staff as the Director of Player Development, where he oversees video and data collection while also running camps and clinics.
Depth Behind the Dish
RU has a number of quality options at the catcher position for 2024. Hugh Pinkney returns after making 48 starts at catcher and designated hitter last season, hitting .267 with 12 extra-base hits and a .716 OPS in his true freshman season. JD Jones joins the catching corps as a transfer from Miami and provides a veteran presence. True freshman Jackson Natili is primed for a big career "On the Banks" and factors in as well.
Infield Experience
Rutgers returns at least a full season of starting experience at every infield spot, with Jordan Sweeney (108), Kuroda-Grauer (105), Cameron Love (63) and Santa Maria (60) combining for 376 starts for RU.
Outfield Options
Trevor Cohen represents the lone returning starter in the RU outfield, having started all 56 games last season and hitting .298 with 26 walks to 22 strikeouts en route to being named to the All-Big Ten Freshman Team.
Rutgers retooled with the addition of RJ Johnson Jr. from the JUCO ranks, who is expected to start in centerfied. Johnson his .343 with six home runs and 36 RBIs, while leading his Gulf Coast State team with 61 hits and 55 runs scored in 2023.
Transfers Pete Ciuffreda (Lafayette) and Pete Durocher (Manhattan) bring a combined seven seasons of experience to the outfield and can play multiple positions.
Bullpen Arms
Ben Gorski returns for his final season after an All-Big Ten season in 2023 where he locked down eight saves and posted a 3.40 ERA with 46 strikeouts in 39.2 innings. He was named to NCBWA Stopper of the Year watchlist ahead of 2024.
Sam Portnoy pitched to a 3.69 ERA across 31.2 innings in 20 appearances and also earned a spot on the NCBWA Stopper of the Year watchlist.
Joey DeChiaro joins the bullpen as a graduate transfer from Old Dominion, where he appeared in 50 games across four seasons for the Monarchs. After a strong summer in the Cape Cod League, DeChiaro was named Preseason All-Conference by Perfect Game.
Jake Marshall was third on the Scarlet Knights in 2023 with 51.0 innings as both a starter and reliever and will factor in the team's plans once again. Marshall struck out 60 batters in 51.0 innings a year ago and has 191 strikeouts in his collegiate career.
Joe Mazza was second to only Gorski with 24 appearances for RU last season and pitch 32.0 innings with a 4.78 ERA out of the bullpen.
The bullpen will also receive a boost from the returns of RHP Gavin Stellpflug and LHP Donovan Zsak – neither of whom pitched last season.
A pair of transfers in Jordan Falco (Adelphi) and Sonny Fauci (St. John's) emerged as relievers who can provide length out of the bullpen as well.
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