ROCKFORD, Ill.- The Rockford University baseball team returned to action Sunday for a non-conference doubleheader against the University of Chicago. The Regents were looking to bounce back after a heartbreaking loss to Concordia Chicago in game two of a doubleheader on Saturday. Rockford used their offense to propel them to a split with Chicago losing the first game 12-10 and prevailing in the second 12-2 in seven innings.
In game one Thomas Bolen (Tucson, Ariz.) started on the mound. He completed 4 2/3 innings and then gave way to Thomas Goodyear (Romeoville, Ill.) who completed 2 2/3 innings. Chad Thompson (Morton Grove, Ill.) came in to finish off the game completing 1 2/3 innings and allowing 0 runs. He was able to hold the Maroons and allow for the Regents to have a shot in the final inning to win the game.
Offensively Rockford slugged the ball, collecting 10 runs on 14 hits. The Regents began the game jumping on the Maroons pitcher immediately scoring two runs in the first inning. The scoring chance began when Bryce Hinkelman (Ottawa, Ill.) hit a double down the left field line to leadoff the game. Following an Evan Frantini (Coal City, Ill.) walk Ryan Scarpetta (Rockton, Ill.) smoked a double into right-center field to drive in both Hinkelman and Frantini to give Rockford the early 2-0 lead. After Chicago scored four runs in the second and third inning Rockford responded with three of their own in the third inning. The runs came when Andrew Hunt (Apple Valley, Calif.) doubled to left-center field to plate Robert Smith (Bartlett, Ill.) and Hinkelman. Following Hunt, Britton Seivert (Rockford, Ill.) hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Scarpetta from third base. Rockford once again took the lead 5-4. After four runs from the Maroons the next scoring opportunity for the Regents came when Scarpetta hit a single into left field to plate Frantini from third base to pull the team back within two runs. Chicago added two more in the sixth and then saw Rockford add four in the sixth to tie the score. The scoring came when Smith poked a double down the right field line to bring in Josh Cooper (Yorkville, Ill.) and Chris Carlson (Schaumburg, Ill.). Following Smith was Frantini with another two-run double which plated Smith and Hinkelman. Chicago scored two more runs in the final three innings to take the lead. Unfortunately, Rockford could not add any more runs as they fell by the final of 12-10.
In game two Joseph Valdez (Tucson, Ariz.) had an impressive performance on the mound throwing a complete game of 7 innings allowing 2 runs, 1 earned, on 4 hits while striking out 8. Valdez recorded his first complete game of the season and his collegiate career. He has now moved his record to 3-0 on the season.
Offensively Rockford tallied 12 runs on 7 hits. The Regents had many scoring opportunities and led 2-0 heading into the fifth inning when they broke the game open with four runs. The scoring began with Smith crushing a double into left-center field to drive in Hinkelman. Following Smith, was Frantini with a double down the right field line to plate Smith from second base. Next up was Scarpetta who destroyed a two-run home run over the center field wall, his second of the game, to give the Regents a 6-0 lead. Rockford added on six more runs in their final appearance at the plate in the sixth inning to give them a 12-1 lead, and ultimately went on to win by the final of 12-2 after seven innings.
Playing well on the day were Scarpetta who went 5-for-9 with 2 home runs, 3 runs scored and 7 RBI's. Smith added 3 hits, 5 RBI's and 4 runs scored. Hinkelman collected 3 hits, an RBI, 5 runs scored and 2 walks. Frantini went 3-for-7 with 4 runs scored, 3 RBI's and 2 walks. Cooper collected a multi-hit game going 2-for-5 in game one.
The Rockford University baseball team returns to action Tuesday, April 26 to take on Beloit College at Rivets Stadium with a scheduled start time of 4 p.m.
