The Scarlet Knights scored 10 runs in the fourth inning to take the win.
UConn baseball took a 6-0 lead in the first inning of Tuesday’s game against Rutgers but surrendered 10 runs in the fourth inning, ultimately falling 13-11.
The loss marked UConn’s first since April 6, ending a 13-game win streak. It was the fourth-longest in program history, behind 14 wins to start the 1971 season, a 17-game run in 1959 and 22 consecutive victories in 2010.
The Huskies looked poised to run away with the game after just the first inning, jumping out to a 6-0 lead and chasing Jack Kirchner from the game without recording a single out. UConn loaded the bases before a trio of two-RBI hits got the home team on the board. Tyler Minick singled, followed by an Aidan Dougherty double and a Bryan Padilla home run to cap off the frame.
Rutgers quickly responded in the top of the second to cut UConn’s lead in half. With two outs, Kyle Peters hit a batter before allowing a double and single that saw three runs come home. They were all unearned, though, as Rob Rispoli committed an error that allowed the first runner of the inning to reach.
The Huskies punched right back in the third to reclaim their three-run lead. A double from Sam Biller brought home Beau Root and pushed Padilla to third after both runners singled to get on base. Rispoli made up for his error, as his base hit with two outs scored Biller and Padilla.
Then, in the fourth, Rutgers went nuclear at the plate. The Scarlet Knights put up 10 runs in the frame to turn their six-run deficit into a four-run lead. Peters was pulled after walking the first hitter and the next man up — Greg Shaw III — did not fare much better. Shaw faced five hitters and failed to record an out, allowing a walk and a single before a double plated two. After another free pass, he surrendered a grand slam that knocked him out of the game. Sam Hutchinson came on and seemed to quiet the Rutgers offense, inducing a ground out to the first hitter he faced.
However, that was short-lived as he allowed the next four hitters to reach base, including a home run of his own. After securing the second out, he was lifted for JT Caruso — UConn’s fourth pitcher of the inning — who ended the frame with a strikeout.
The Huskies put up one run in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings, threatening a comeback, but could not capitalize the remainder of the game. Neither team would score following the fifth, solidifying the 13-11 final.
In the bottom of the ninth, the Huskies did bring the winning run to the plate, putting two men on base with nobody out. However, pinch hitter Grant MacArthur struck out, as did Root, and Padilla ended the game with a ground out.
UConn (26-18) is back in action on Wednesday, welcoming Rhode Island. First pitch is set for 6:05 p.m. on UConn+.