LOVES PARK, Ill.- The Rockford University baseball team returned to action Monday to make up a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference doubleheader against Wisconsin Lutheran College. The Regents and Warriors came into today with identical 1-1 records in conference play. Rockford could not cool off the hot hitting of Wisconsin Lutheran falling by the final of 15-3 in the first game but fought back to earn the split winning by the final of 3-0 in the second game.
Taking the mound in game one was Adam O'Malley (Elk Grove, Ill.) who completed 7 innings allowing 6 runs, 5 earned, on 11 hits and striking out 9 batters. He really was a victim of some tough luck as many of the hits he gave up were hit weakly and finding holes in the defense. Finishing up the final two frames on the hill was Cody Gustafson (Elk Grove, Ill.).
Offensively, the Regents were constantly putting pressure on the Warriors collecting 11 walks and 8 hits in the game. However, Rockford could not cash in on their plethora of baserunners scoring three runs in total and leaving 15 on base.
Their first scoring play came in the sixth inning when Seth Dascher (Lena, Ill.) hit a two-run single to left-center field scoring both Devin Standard (Stillman Valley, Ill.) and Andrew Hunt (Apple Valley, Calif.) to cut the deficit down to one run, 3-2. However, Wisconsin Lutheran answered back and increased their lead to 8-2 before the next scoring play for Rockford in the eighth inning. Ryan Scarpetta (Rockton, Ill.) hit an RBI double to left-center field scoring Evan Frantini (Coal City, Ill.) to put the Regents back down by five runs heading into the final inning. Unfortunately, the Warriors tacked on multiple runs and ultimately, the Regents fell by the final of 15-3.
In game two Joseph Valdez (Tucson, Ariz.) was outstanding on the mound for Rockford. He threw 8 innings allowing 0 runs on 4 hits and striking out 10 batters. The start was exactly what the Regents needed to earn their second conference victory of the season and to salvage a split on the day. Valdez earned his first collegiate victory as well from his excellent performance. Closing out the ninth inning was Thomas Bolen (Tucson, Ariz.) throwing a perfect inning to earn his first save of the season and first of his collegiate career.
Offensively, Rockford hit the ball much better in the second game collecting 12 hits in total. Their lone inning of scoring came when Scarpetta hit a two out two-run double to right-center field which scored Standard and Robert Smith (Bartlett, Ill.) on the play. The following batter, Hunt scorched a single up the middle driving in Scarpetta from second base to give Rockford the lead 3-0 heading into the fourth inning. Ultimately, there was no more scoring from either team as the Regents won by the final of 3-0.
Playing well for the Regents on the day were Hunt who went 3-for-7 with an RBI single and two walks. Standard went 3-for-3 with two runs scored. Scarpetta collected two hits and three RBI's. Smith added two hits and two walks. Britton Seivert (Rockford, Ill.) went 2-for-3 with two walks in the first game. Frantini notched one hit and earned three walks. Bryce Hinkelman (Ottawa, Ill.) also added two hits on the day.
The Rockford University baseball team returns to action Tuesday, April 12 to take on Aurora University in Aurora, Ill. with a scheduled start time of 3 p.m.
