LOVES PARK, ILL.- The Rockford University baseball team took on the Illinois Institute of Technology Scarlett Hawks Sunday afternoon. Rockford looked to extend its winning streak to a season high four games. Both teams would score early but a run in the middle innings by the Scarlett Hawks gave them a close 3-2 victory over the Regents.
The Scarlett Hawks were able to get on the scoreboard first off Regents starter Michael Murray (Princeton, Ill./Princeton). He allowed a two out single in the top of the second inning. After a wild pitch the runner came around to score on a Rockford throwing error. Murray, getting some work in in a non-conference game, only threw two innings; allowing the one unearned run on one hit and striking out two batters.
Taking over for Murray in the third inning was James Northrup (Rockford, Ill./Winnebago). He gave up a run in his first inning of work after back-to-back singles to start the inning put runners on the corners. A suicide squeeze then plated Illinois Institute's second run of the game.
Rockford tied it up in the bottom half of the third inning. Connor McHugh (Hoffman Estates, Ill./Schaumburg) singled to lead-off the inning. Scott Swiderek (Chicago, Ill./Walter Lutheran) followed with a single of his own. A failed bunt resulted in McHugh being forced out at third. Joe Rigg (Orlando Park, Ill./Carl Sandburg) singled to right center to load the bases. After an out Chris Senn (Victorville, Calf./Silverado) lined a single to left field to score two runs.
That would be all the scoring for Rockford on the day. They loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning but could not plate the game-tying run. The Scarlett Hawks put together three hits in the top of the sixth to score what would turn out to be the game-winning run. Despite receiving the loss, Northrup was solid in relief. He went seven innings, giving up two runs (one earned), on six hits, one walk, and he struck out five batters.
Rockford has non-conference games on April 15th against Carthage at 3:00 p.m. and April 16th at 4:00 p.m. against Chicago. They continue conference play on April 19th against Lakeland at 12:00 p.m. All the games are at home.
