Rutgers scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth inning Sunday to beat the Illinois baseball team 8-7 at Bainton Field. The Scarlet Knights clinched the series 2-1 with the win.

 

Rutgers (19-29, 7-11 Big Ten) scored its four ninth-inning runs on two walks and three singles off of Illini closer Joey Gerber (2-1). Christian Campbell finished the game with a walk-off single to right center field to score Mike Martinez with two outs.

 

Illinois (22-26, 8-13 Big Ten) is still alive in the race to qualify for the Big Ten Tournament, but needs help going into the final weekend of regular season play.

 

Mark Skonieczny led the lineup with two hits and a career-high three RBIs. He blasted a two-run triple in the first and plated another run on a ground out in the third.

 

Skonieczny was one of four Illini with multiple hits, along with Ben Troike, Michael Massey and Bren Spillane. Doran Turchin hit his sixth home run of the season in the second inning.

 

Illinois returns to Illinois Field next weekend for a three-game series against Iowa starting on Thursday.