Boston College
Rutgers
Baseball Completes Three-Game Sweep Of Rutgers
March 25, 2002 | Baseball
March 25, 2002
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. - The Boston College baseball team (12-8, 3-0 BIG EAST) has rebounded in a major way following its three-consecutive losses, as it completed a three-game sweep of previously ranked Rutgers University (9-9, 0-3) on Monday afternoon, 9-6, at Shea Field.
Boston College's last swept a BIG EAST opponent back on March 5 and 6, 2001, when it took three straight from Seton Hall. The Eagles won all three games by a combined six runs.
Things did not go as planned early on for the Eagles, as Rutgers jumped out to a 5-2 lead through its half of the fourth inning, and had not given up a hit to a Boston College batter. The Eagles' first two runs came in the first inning off of sacrifice flies by first baseman Vinny Scavone and designated hitter Brian Durkin.
Boston College's first hit came in its half of the fourth inning off the bat of second baseman Josh DiScipio, who laced a double to left field with one out. Following his hit, the Eagles finally opened the floodgates on the Rutgers' pitching staff. Left fielder Neal McCarthy, who went 3-for-4 with three runs and two RBI, stepped up to the plate, following DiScipio's double, and crushed a two-run home run to right field.
The scoring did not stop there as following a single and a stolen base my center fielder Matt Lederhos and a walk by right fielder Brian Macchi, Scavone drilled his second home run of the series when he belted a three-run shot to right field. For Scavone, it was his team-leading fifth home run of the season.
Following the five-run outburst in the fifth inning, the Eagles' pitching staff was able to hold the Rutgers' offense to only one more run in the game. Boston College starting pitcher Kevin Shepard only lasted four complete innings, as he allowed six runs (four earned), four hits, eight walks and struck out four Scarlet Knight batters. Freshmen Jake Marsello came in to pick up his first collegiate win, while Mike Gauthier had another strong outing in relief of Marsello to pick up Boston College's first save of the season.
Lederhos and catcher Jeff Mackor both recorded two hits apiece for the Eagles, while Macchi drove in one run off a double in the sixth inning.
The baseball team will step out of conference action for its next game when it takes on in-state rival Holy Cross at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Shea Field. The Eagles defeated the Crusaders last season, 12-2, in Worcester, Mass.
