FOND DU LAC, Wis.-The Rockford University baseball team returned to action Tuesday looking to avenge their sweep against Concordia University Wisconsin by sweeping Marian University, to bring their Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference record back to .500. The Regents took care of business prevailing by the final of 10-8 in game one and 6-1 in game two.
Taking the mound in game one was Nathan Mulzer (Neenah, Wis.)who threw well despite some control problems going 5 innings allowing 4 runs, 0 earned, on 2 hits while striking out 7 and walking 6. Following Mulzer, was Tyler Joyce (Rochelle, Ill.) who struggled to find a rhythm on the mound lasting only 2/3 of an inning and gave way to Jake Morsch (Somonauk, Ill.) who was outstanding once again for the Regents recording 2 1/3 innings allowing 0 runs on 1 hit and striking out 2. With the performance, Morsch, collected his first victory of the season and first of his collegiate career. Coming in to close out the final inning was Adam O'Malley (Elk Grove, Ill.) who threw a perfect 1, 2, 3 ninth inning to record his second save of the season.
Offensively, Rockford put together several multi-run innings to keep putting the pressure on Marian. Their first scoring opportunity came when Ryan Scarpetta (Rockton, Ill.) recorded a bases-loaded walk to bring in Devin Standard (Stillman Valley, Ill.) from third base. Andrew Hunt (Apple Valley, Calif.) then followed Scarpetta up by crushing a two-run double down the left field line to drive in Evan Frantini (Coal City, Ill.) and Robert Smith (Bartlett, Ill.). The Regents were not done adding onto their big inning as Mitchell Gorsuch (Cherry Valley, Ill.) brought in Scarpetta on an RBI ground out. The four runs scored brought the game back to a tie at 4-4. Rockford added on another run in the fourth inning when Bryce Hinkelman (Ottawa, Ill.) hit an RBI single to plate Britton Seivert (Rockford, Ill.) and give them a 5-4 lead. After giving up four runs to the Sabres in the sixth inning, the Regents immediately responded with a run of their own in the seventh when Frantini scored on an error to narrow the deficit to 8-6. In the eighth inning Rockford added on two runs to tie the game up 8-8, when Hinkelman hit a two-run double to drive in Standard and Smith. In the ninth inning the Regents again added two more runs when Josh Cooper (Yorkville, Ill.) had a bases-loaded walk to bring in Seth Dascher (Lena, Ill.). After a strikeout, Patrick O'Malley (Elk Grove, Ill.) scored the final run of the game on a balk. The runs allowed the Regents to take the lead and ultimately prevail by the final of 10-8.
In game two, Thomas Goodyear (Romeoville, Ill.) began the game on the mound throwing 4 innings allowing 1 run on 4 hits and striking out 3. Earning the victory for the Regents was Chad Thompson (Morton Grove, Ill.) who threw 3 2/3 innings allowing 0 runs on 2 hits. The victory was the first of the season and collegiate career for Thompson. Shutting down the ninth inning for Rockford was Joseph Valdez (Tucson, Ariz.) who earned the save, which was his second of the season.
Offensively, the Regents struck first in the first inning when Scarpetta hit an RBI single to plate Smith to take a 1-0 lead. After Marian scored to tie the game at 1, Rockford saw their next scoring opportunity come in the seventh inning when O'Malley hit an RBI double into left field to drive in Dascher. The next batter was Frantini who hit another RBI double to bring in O'Malley from second base. After a single and a strikeout, Gorsuch hit an RBI single to right field to drive in Frantini from third base and to increase their lead to 4-1. In the ninth inning the Regents tacked on a couple of insurance runs when Eric Gnippe (Hinsdale, Ill.) hit a two-run single bringing in Kraemer Brandt (Elk Grove, Ill.) and Frantini to increase the lead to 6-1. Ultimately, Rockford won by the final of 6-1 to complete their sweep of Marian. The Regents now sit at 6-6 in conference play, which is good for sixth place.
Playing well for the Regents were Scarpetta who went 4-for-7 with two RBI's and three walks on the day. Hinkelman added two hits with three RBI's in the first game. Frantini added two hits, four runs scored, and an RBI. Hunt collected three hits including three RBI's. Gnippe went 2-for-5 with a two-run single in the second game. O'Malley also recorded two hits and two walks on the day.
The Rockford University baseball team will return to action Wednesday, April 20 to take on Carthage College at Rivets Stadium with a scheduled start time of 3 p.m.
