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 Piscataway (May 11, 2014) – USF fell behind early and couldn't recover falling 12-2 in seven innings to Rutgers in the series finale Sunday afternoon at Bainton Field.

USF falls below .500 for the first time this season and now stands at 25-26.  The Bulls finish the year 10-14 in The American and close out the regular season with four non-conference games.  Rutgers improves to 27-22 overall and 12-8 in conference play.

Rutgers scored seven runs in the first two innings to seize control of the game.  The Scarlet Knights had three straight RBI base hits in the first inning capped off by a sacrifice fly down the leftfield line.  An inning later, Nick Favatella hit his fourth homerun of the season, a three-run blast over the leftfield wall.

Luke Maglich drove home USF's first run of the game in the top of the second on a RBI single into left-centerfield that plated Buddy Putnam.  Putnam began the frame with a single into centerfield.

Three innings later, Nik Alfonso started a two-out rally with a walk.  Kyle Teaf then tripled into the right field corner bringing home Alfonso to make it a 7-2 ballgame. For Teaf, it was his second triple of the weekend.

The Scarlet Knights closed out the contest scoring the final five runs highlighted by a two-run triple off the bat of Mike Carter.

 Tommy Peterson suffered the loss falling to 3-3 on the season.  He recorded just one out while allowing four runs and four hits.  Four relievers also saw the mound for the Bulls with Brandon Murray being the only one not to allow a run in 0.2 innings of work.  Teaf, Putnam and Maglich each had a hit for USF.

Kevin Baxter picked up his first career complete game allowing two runs in the seven inning outing.  He surrendered three hits and a pair of free passes while striking out three.  Offensively, Rutgers picked up 10 hits in the game and drew six walks.  Carter, Christian Campbell and R.J. Devish each had a pair of hits for the Scarlet Knights.

USF has an off day before returning to the diamond on Tuesday, May 13 when it takes on No. 4 Florida.  First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at McKenna Stadium.