ELMHURST, Ill. - The Rockford University baseball team earned an impressive road victory on Tuesday when the Regents defeated the Elmhurst College Bluejays by a final score of 5-2. The win ends Elmhurst's six-game winning streak and gives Rockford some much needed momentum heading into Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference play this coming weekend. 

The Regents jumped out to an early lead scoring five runs in the first three innings. Center fielder Robert Smith (Bartlett, Ill.) began the game with a leadoff double giving his team an early scoring opportunity. Three batters later, senior Ryan Scarpetta (Rockton, Ill.) broke the scoreless tie with an RBI single, scoring Smith and giving the Regents a 1-0 lead.

Elmhurst would answer with a run in the bottom of the first; however, Rockford wasted little time retaking the lead as the Regents responded with a pair of runs in the top of the second. Austin Smith (Peru, Ill.) helped start the scoring as he laced a two-out double into center field moving Devin Standard (Monroe Center, Ill.) to third who then advanced to home off an Elmhurst error as Rockford moved back in front. One batter later, Evan Frantini (Coal City, Ill.) ripped a double of his own to score Smith and give his team a 3-1 advantage. 

Rockford continued their offensive onslaught in the top of the third as the Regents added two more runs. Rockford loaded the bases with just one out following singles by Kraemer Brandt (Elk Grove, Ill.) and Patrick O'Malley (Elk Grove, Ill.) along with Eric Gnippe (Hinsdale, Ill.) being hit by a pitch. After a strikeout, it was senior Robert Smith who delivered a clutch two-run, two-out single as Rockford extended its lead to 5-1. 

The Regents pitching staff took it from there as the combination of Thomas Bolen (Tucson, Ariz.), Tyler Joyce (Rochelle, Ill.) and Michael Murray (Princeton, Ill.) held the Bluejay offense in check. Bolen fired the first 4.2 innings allowing just 4 hits and 1 run while striking out 2 batters. Joyce took over in the bottom of the fifth with the bases loaded and induced an inning-ending fly out to end the Elmhurst threat. In total Joyce tossed 3.1 innings, allowing just 2 hits and 1 run while striking out 1 to pick up his first win of the season. Murray then followed a perfect ninth inning earning his first save this year and securing the 5-2 win.

Rockford had four players record multi-hit games on Tuesday. Robert Smith was 2-for-5 with a double, 2 RBIs and a run scored. Austin Smith recorded his second consecutive multi-hit game going 3-for-5 with a run scored. Evan Frantini went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles, a walk and an RBI. Patrick O'Malley was the final Regent to record multiple hits as he also went 2-for-4. 

The RU baseball team will open NACC play on Saturday, April 2 at home against Edgewood College. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for noon at Rivets Stadium.