LAKELAND, FLA.- The Rockford University baseball team played its second to last game on its spring trip Friday afternoon against Greenville College (2-5). The Regents looked to extend their winning streak to three games and increase their record to 8-3. Rockford played an all-around great game, which was decided on the final batter of the game.
Greenville struck first with a two-out RBI double in the top of the first inning. There was no more scoring until the bottom of the fifth inning when Rockford tied the game. Brian Wiest (Lake Zurich, Ill./Lake Zuirch) led off the inning with a single to left field. One out later Jake McKnight (Monroe Center, Ill./Stillman Valley) singled up the middle advancing Wiest to third. Adrian Gameros (Rialto, Calf./Carter) came into the game as a pinch-hitter and singled to right scoring Wiest. After another single Greenville got out of the inning by turning a double-play.
Zero's were thrown up on the scoreboard until the bottom of the ninth inning. Chris Senn (Apple Valley, Cali./Silverado) led off the inning with a single. Bryan Grabowski (Barrington, Ill./Barrington) followed that up with a double to right field. Greenville intentionally walked the next batter to load the bases and create a force-out at home. Rockford's next two batters were retired on a strikeout and a fly out. It looked as though Greenville would escape the bases loaded no out inning, but Scott Swiderek (Chicago, Ill./Walter Lutheran) had other ideas. Already having a great spring, which included a go ahead grand slam and a go ahead three-run home run, Swiderek looked to add to that impressive list with a walk-off hit. After getting down in the count 0-2, Swiderek drilled a pitch up the middle and past Greenville's diving second baseman to give Rockford the 2-1 victory.
Rockford's pitching staff continued to put together impressive games. Jacob Gorsuch (Cherry Valley, Ill./Jefferson) got the start for the Regents and pitched five strong innings. He gave up six hits, one walk, striking out five batters and only allowed the one run in the first inning. Gorsuch was in trouble in the fourth inning when Greenville led off the inning with a hit. A two-out single put runners at the corners but Gorsuch struck out the next batter to get out of the jam. Gorsuch again got out of trouble in the fifth inning after a one-out triple. He struck out a batter and then the next batter grounded out to second to end the inning. Kyle Pisano (Chicago, Ill./LaSalle-Peru), coming on in relief for the third straight game, pitched four shut-out innings. He gave up two hits, a walk, and struck out three batters to earn his second win of the season.
Rockford returns to action tomorrow morning for its final game in Florida. The game is scheduled to start at 8:30 a.m. CST. They face Wittenburg University.
