CHICAGO, Ill.- After splitting two conference doubleheaders this past weekend, the Rockford University baseball team had one day off before returning to the field for a non-conference game. The Regents traveled to Chicago to face the Illinois Institute of Technology Scarlet Hawks. The Scarlet Hawks came in with an outstanding 17-4 record, including multiple wins over various NACC schools. Rockford's offense had it going on early in the game, scoring at least one run in each of the first four innings. Cole Logemann (Lena, Ill.) led the offensive attack by driving in seven of Rockford's nine runs for the game.
The scoring started two batters into the game for Rockford. The catalyst Robert Smith (Bartlett, Ill.) walked and then scored after the next batter, Logemann, doubled him in. Logemann advanced to third on a fly out and then was driven in by Brian Wiest (Lake Zurich, Ill.) on another fly out.
Rockford kept up the offensive attack in the top of the second inning. Kevin Robinson (Schaumburg, Ill.) led off with a single. Bobby Barrera (Waukegan, Ill.) followed with a single of his own. Two fly outs resulted in Robinson advancing to third base to put runners on first and third with two outs. Smith loaded the bases after catcher's interference was called. Logemann made it hurt by clearing the bases with a double to put Rockford up 5-0.
In the top of the third inning Rockford added another run to its lead. Once again the Regents put the lead off runner of the inning on base, this time with a walk by Wiest. After a strikeout and a ground out, Wiest found himself on second base with two outs. An error by Illinois Tech's shortstop resulted in Wiest coming around to score.
Holding the Scarlet Hawks offense in check was Rockford's starting pitcher James Northrup (Rockford, Ill.). Northrup was solid in five innings of work. He gave up just one run, on two out double in the bottom of the third inning, to record his first win of the season. He struck out eight batters and gave up just four hits and one walk. Three Regent relievers combined to give up one earned run in four innings of work. They combined to give up four base runners and struck out five batters.
The Regents offense had one final outburst in the top of the fourth inning to put the game out of reach. Kwynn Rury (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) doubled with one out. Smith followed by reaching base by getting hit by a pitch. Logemann finished off his outstanding day with a three-run home run. It was his sixth home run of the season. Illinois Tech scored one run in the bottom of the ninth inning but it was not enough and Rockford won the game 9-2.
Logemann finished 3-for-4. His seven RBI were one short of tying the single game Regent record. Smith scored three runs despite going just 1-for-2. Mitchell Gorsuch (Cherry Valley, Ill.) finished 2-for-5. Also with double-digit hits was Rury, who finished 2-for-3 with a run.
Rockford continues its season tomorrow with another non-conference game. The Regents host Elmhurst with a start time of 3:30 p.m.
