Box Score - Game 1 (html)
Box Score - Game 1 (pdf)
Box Score - Game 2 (html)
Box Score - Game 2 (pdf)

PISCATAWAY, N.J.  — Senior Keith Cantwell (Tinton Falls, N.J.) (6-3) tossed a complete game striking 10 batters allowing only two runs as the Pirates came back to win game two of the doubleheader against Rutgers, 3-2, after dropping game one, 3-1, Saturday afternoon in Piscataway, N.J.

In game one, Pirates starter Sean Black (Mt. Laurel, N.J.) (4-6) pitched a complete game striking out seven batters and allowing only three runs on six hits, however Rutgers starter Willie Beard (3-4) allowed only one run on six hits in 7.1 innings of work.

Seton Hall (22-22, 11-12) jumped out to a quick, 1-0, lead in the top of the first inning.  Sophomore A.J. Rusbarsky (Freehold, N.J.) reached base on a lead-off walk and advanced to third base when junior Chris Fontenelli (Toms River, N.J.) executed a successful hit-and-run through the right-side.  With runners on first and third and no-outs, Rusbarsky crossed home plate when senior Matt Smedberg (Rockaway, N.J.) grounded into a 6-4-3 double play.

The Scarlet Knights (20-29, 6-17) came back to take the lead in the bottom of the second inning when Luis Feliz grounded out to the right side with one out and runners on second and third.  Jarred Jimenez scored the second run on a wild pitch.

The Hall threatened in the top of the sixth and eighth innings, but came up short of tying the game.  In the sixth, Smedberg hit a one out single and advanced to second base on a wild pitch.  Beard would hold the Pirates by striking out senior Chris Affinito (East Brunswick, N.J.) and forcing sophomore Sean Gusrang (Burlington, N.J.) to fly out to center field.

In the eighth inning, Rusbarsky ripped a double to left field forcing Beard from the game in favor of Kevin Lillis.  After a wild pitch advanced Rusbarsky to third base, Lillis struck out Fontenelli and induced Smedberg to ground out to shortstop to end the inning.

Rutgers followed to pick up their insurance run in the bottom of the eighth when Pat Biserta belted his fifth home run of the season over the left field wall.

Smedberg led the Pirates offense in game one with two hits for his sixth two hit game of the season.  For Rutgers, Jaren Matthews went 2-for-3 with a run scored.  Ryan Beard earned his seventh save of the year with one strikeout in a scoreless ninth inning.

Rutgers continued game two where they left off in game one by taking a, 2-0, lead in the bottom of the first on a Jimenez two-run single through the left side of the infield, however the Pirates came right back in the top half of the second inning to take the, 3-2, lead.

Freshman Dave Phelan (Wharton, N.J.) led off with a walk and moved to second base on a slow groundball out to third base by junior Chris Spagnuolo (Tabernacle, N.J.).  After a two-out single by freshman Will Walsh (New Milford, N.J.), Rusbarsky ripped a two-run base hit while junior Michael Rogers (Portland, Ore.) followed with an RBI single of his own for the one run Pirate lead.

Rutgers threatened in the home half of the seventh inning, yet Cantwell remained strong on the mound to hold the lead.  D.J. Anderson led off with a single, and came out of the game for pinch-runner Nick Gaeta - who advanced to second base on a successful sacrifice bunt by Brandon Boykin and third base on a pass ball.  With the runner on third base and one out, Cantwell struck out pinch-hitter Steven Zavala and Michael Lang ending the inning.

Cantwell followed the seventh inning by striking out four of the next five batters including the side in the bottom of the ninth.

Rogers led the way for the Pirates in game two with three hits and a run scored, while Walsh was 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Rutgers starter Casey Gaynor (2-8) suffered the loss despite allowing two earned runs on eight hits in 7.2 innings.

The two teams will return to complete the three-game series with the rubber-match tomorrow afternoon.  First pitch scheduled at 1:00 p.m.