The start of Rutgers' Big Ten opener against Penn State may have buried previous Scarlet Knight teams.
The Nittany Lions got a runner on base via error on the first pitch of the game. Two batters later, Penn State had an early lead and another man in scoring position, threatening to take control of the game before it even started.
But right-hander John O'Reilly got out of the frame without further damage, and then managed to keep Penn State at bay while Rutgers struggled to score runs, before the run support finally came.
O'Reilly, a former Old Tappan High star, threw the first complete game of his career and was the beneficiary of a four-run sixth inning as the Scarlet Knights rallied past Penn State, 4-1, to open a three-game conference series Friday at Bainton Field.