PISCATAWAY, N.J. (Interstat) — Henry Radbill and four relievers combined on a three-hit shutout as the Rutgers Scarlet Knights capitalized on early power and Delaware miscues to defeat the Delaware Blue Hens 8-0 in nonconference baseball Tuesday afternoon and evening at Bainton Field.

The game’s decisive stretch came in the opening two innings, where Rutgers built an insurmountable lead without the benefit of a hit until the bottom of the second. Scarlet Knights center fielder Peyton Bonds led off the bottom of the first inning by launching his sixth home run of the season over the left field wall off Delaware starter Ethan Shaub.

The second inning unraveled for the Blue Hens due to defensive lapses. With one out, Delaware second baseman Carr committed a fielding error to allow Trevor Chatelle to reach base. The next batter, Ryan Jaros, made the mistake costly, crushing a two-run homer to left field, his second of the year, to extend the Rutgers lead to 3-0. Both runs were unearned.

That was more than enough support for Radbill, who rebounded emphatically from recent struggles. The Rutgers starter dominated over 4 1/3 innings, allowing no hits and no earned runs while striking out six and walking two. He faced the minimum through four innings, with a Delaware runner reaching on an error but being erased on a double play. Radbill’s performance marked a stark turnaround after allowing seven earned runs over his previous three outings spanning just five innings.

Delaware’s offensive woes continued, managing only three singles and going 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position. The Blue Hens squandered an early opportunity in the first inning when Josiah Davis walked, stole second, and advanced to third on a throwing error, but was left stranded.

Rutgers broke the game open with a four-run fourth inning, again aided by Delaware’s control issues. After a single and a fielder’s choice, two hit batters and a walk forced in one run. Johnny Carr then delivered a two-run single up the middle. Another run scored on a wild pitch during a stretch where Blue Hens pitchers issued three walks and hit two batters in the frame.

Andrew Callaway provided a bright spot for Delaware out of the bullpen, throwing 3 2/3 innings of no-hit relief with one strikeout after entering in the fifth inning. Jacob Pedersen earned the win for Rutgers with 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief of Radbill, allowing two hits and striking out three. Jason Masick and Matthew Cruz finished the shutout with an inning each.

Jaros finished 1 for 4 with the pivotal two-run homer. Bonds was 1 for 2 with his solo shot, a walk, and two runs scored. For Delaware, Brett Minckler had a single and two walks, while Aidan Winsett and Tyler Cockriill had the other hits.

The victory improved Rutgers to 14-10 overall, while Delaware fell to 10-15. The Scarlet Knights next host Michigan for a three-game series starting Friday. Delaware returns home to begin a series against Kennesaw State on Friday.

The outcome defied the pregame projection from Interstat, whose simulator had forecast a narrow 6-5 Rutgers victory. The Scarlet Knights’ ELO system gave them a 65.8% probability to win.