Box Score PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Owen Birchard and Aidan Vining tossed 4.0 scoreless innings of relief and Gavin Greger's seventh-inning RBI single proved to be the game winner as the Bryant baseball team defeated Rutgers, 5-4, on Sunday afternoon at Bainton Field.
 
With the win, the Bulldogs improve to 5-7 on the year. It marks Bryant's fourth win over a current member of the Big Ten.
 
Bryant built 1-0 and 4-2 leads but found itself tied 4-4 entering the seventh. A throwing error allowed Casey Wensley to reach and Carlos Irizarry followed with a double just inside the third base bag. Greger then slashed a single through the left side to give Bryant a 5-4 lead.
 
Birchard and Vining made it stand up as the duo combined to strikeout six and allow just one hit over the final 4.0 innings. Birchard fanned four in two innings, while Vining struck out two to close out his first collegiate save.
 
Game Information
Bryant 5, Rutgers 4
Records: Bryant 5-7 | Rutgers 8-6
Location: Bainton Field (Piscataway, N.J.)
W|L|S: Owen Birchard (1-1) | Mazza (1-2) | Aidan Vining (1)
 
Key Moment

• Greger slashed a single through the left side to bring in Wensley with the eventual winning run in the seventh.

How it Happened

• Bryant opened the scoring for the first time in the series as Jacob Gaudreau executed a perfect safety squeeze to score Ellis Garcia (leadoff double) from third.
• Rutgers responded by loading the bases with one out in the bottom of the second but Jackson Vanesko limited them to a single run as he induced a sac fly before getting a strikeout.
• Rutgers took a 2-1 lead in the third on an RBI ground out from Trey Wells.
• Bryant responded by plating three runs in the top of the fourth. Greger singled and Garcia doubled to start the inning and Saul followed with a two-run single up the middle to make it 3-2. Saul advanced to second on a sac bunt, stole third and scored on an infield single from Justin Hackett.
• The Scarlet Knights rallied to tie the game with single runs in the fourth and fifth innings. In the fourth, three-straight singles plated a run but the Bulldogs were able to get a big out as Zac Zyons hit the cutoff and Garcia threw behind the runner at second. It was pivotal as a HBP and a walk loaded the bases before Justin Dressler got a strikeout to end the inning.
• In the fifth, a throwing error put the leadoff runner on second before a sac bunt and a sac fly tied the game.
• A one-out throwing error opened the door for Bryant in the seventh. Irizarry then snuck a double down the third base line and Greger followed with an opposite field single to make it 5-4.
• Rutgers best chance came in the eighth as a two-out walk opened the door. Vining then intentionally walked Peyton Bonds and induced an inning-ending ground out.
• Vining then retired Rutgers in order in the 9^th to close the door.

Inside the Box Score

• Bryant outhit Rutgers, 10-7.
• Bryant collected three doubles and stole bases in the finale.
• Vanesko allowed two runs on three hits over 3.0 innings. He walked three and struck out one.
• Dressler allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits over 2.0 innings.
• Birchard struck out four over 2.0 scoreless innings.
• Vining walked two and struck out two over 2.0 scoreless.
• Greger finished with two hits and an RBI.
• Garcia doubled twice and scored two runs.
• Saul collected three hits, drove in two runs and stole two bases.

Game Notes

• Bryant is now 1-2 all-time against Rutgers.
• The Bulldogs now own wins over Big Ten members Rutgers (1), Maryland (2), Penn State (1) and Ohio State (1).
• Sunday's win came against former head coach Steve Owens.
• Garcia posted multiple doubles for the second time this season. He has a team-leading four doubles.
• Gaudreau has now reached safely in each of his last 16 games dating back to last season.
• Vanesko was pitching in his home state of New Jersey for just the second time in his career.
• Saul matched his career high with three hits. He stole multiple bases for the first time in his career.
• Greger collected his 34^th career multi-hit game.
• Birchard earned the victory in relief, the third of his collegiate career.
• Vining picked up his first career save in his 46^th collegiate appearance. He now has 318 career strikeouts, the most among active pitchers in NCAA.

Up Next
Bryant is scheduled to host Stonehill in its home opener on Tuesday at 3:00 p.m.