ROCKFORD, Ill.-The Rockford University baseball team returned to action Saturday to take on Dominican University in a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference matchup. The Regents came into the game splitting each of their first three doubleheaders in conference play and were looking to rewrite the script by earning their first sweep of the conference season. Unfortunately, Rockford could not scratch any runs across in the first game falling 3-1 in 12 innings and then provided several runs in the second game winning by the final of 11-8.
In game one Adam O'Malley (Elk Grove, Ill.) took the mound and was outstanding for the Regents. He threw 8 1/3 innings not allowing a run on only 4 hits striking out 5 and not walking a batter. O'Malley took the no decision as the game went into extra innings. He has really ran into some tough luck this season as he has not earned a win yet this season, even though he has thrown very well throughout the year. Following O'Malley was Ryan Scarpetta (Rockton, Ill.) threw 1 2/3 scoreless innings to keep the game going and give the Regents an opportunity close the door and finish off the Stars. However, Rockford could not scratch across a run as Thomas Bolen (Tucson, Ariz.) and Thomas Goodyear (Romeoville, Ill.) completed the final inning giving up three runs in total.
Offensively, Rockford could not string together any hits when they had the opportunity to score leading to the extra inning affair. Even though Rockford out hit Dominican with their 9 hits, they did not score their lone run until the 12th inning. The Regents scored their run when Evan Frantini (Coal City, Ill.) crushed a double to left-center field to drive in Eric Gnippe (Hinsdale, Ill.) from third base. Unfortunately, Rockford could not add any other runs and fell by the final of 3-1.
In game two Joseph Valdez (Tucson, Ariz.) was brilliant for the second straight start throwing 7 innings allowing 3 runs, 1 earned, on 3 hits while striking out 6. Valdez has now improved to 2-0 on the season and continues his strong start to the conference season. He has now thrown 15 innings allowing only 1 earned run to boast a 0.60 ERA while striking out 16 in conference play this season. Chad Thompson (Morton Grove, Ill.) threw a scoreless inning of relief and was followed by Josh Cooper (Yorkville, Ill.) and Jake Morsch (Somonauk, Ill.). Morsch earned the save which notched the first of his collegiate career.
Offensively, Rockford was on fire throughout the game scoring in five of the eight innings at the plate. The team put together 11 runs on 16 hits to earn a much needed victory.
The Regents immediately scored in their first plate appearance when Frantini hit an RBI single to drive in Robert Smith (Bartlett, Ill.) from third base. Following Frantini was Scarpetta hitting another RBI single to score Bryce Hinkelman (Ottawa, Ill.) from third base. After an Andrew Hunt (Apple Valley, Calif.) single, Mitchell Gorsuch (Cherry Valley, Ill.) brought home Scarpetta with an RBI fielder's choice. Again after a Patrick O'Malley (Elk Grove, Ill.) single Britton Seivert (Rockford, Ill.) hit an RBI fielder's choice to plate Hunt and give Rockford a 4-0 lead heading into the second inning. Again in the second inning the Regents got on the board as Hinkelman hit an RBI double to plate Smith. Next up Frantini hit an RBI single to right field to drive in Hinkelman and expand the Rockford lead to 6-0. The Regents were just getting started as they put together another scoring opportunity in the third inning when Hinkelman hit another RBI double to left field to drive in Seth Dascher (Lena, Ill.) from second base. Again Frantini drove in Hinkelman with an RBI single to increase the lead to 8-0. Eventually, Rockford tacked on three more runs to total eleven for the game. Ultimately, the Regents held on in the final inning to earn the victory by the final of 11-8.
Playing well offensively for Rockford was Hinkelman who went 5-for-5 in the second game with three RBI double's and five runs scored. The five runs scored tied for a single-game school record. Frantini went 5-for-8 on the day with two walks, including 4-of-4 in the second game with 4 RBI's. Scarpetta went 5-for-10 with 2 RBI's on the day. Hunt also recorded three hits on the day including one run scored. Dascher went 1-for-3 in the second game with an RBI and a run scored. Gnippe also collected a multi-hit game in the opening game of the doubleheader.
The Rockford University baseball team returns to action Sunday, April 17 to take on Concordia University Wisconsin in Mequon, Wis. with a scheduled start time of 12 p.m.
