SHEBOYGAN, Wis.- The Rockford University baseball team returned to action Saturday to take on Lakeland College in a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference matchup. The Regents still had their conference hopes alive prior to the doubleheader sitting in eighth place. Rockford was still in control of their fate, needing to sweep both games against Lakeland to put themselves in the driver's seat heading into their final four conference games. Unfortunately, the Regents were unable to earn a sweep, losing 5-3 in game one but fought back to prevail 5-2 in game two.
In game one starting on the mound was David Camacho (Elk Grove, Ill.) who threw 6 1/3 innings allowing 5 runs, 4 earned on 13 hits. Completing the final innings for Rockford was Nathan Mulzer (Neenah, Wis.). Mulzer threw very well and did not allow a hit while striking out 3 in 1 2/3 innings of work.
Offensively the Regents collected 3 runs on 9 hits. After giving up two runs to Lakeland, Rockford cashed in on their first scoring opportunity in the fifth inning when Bryce Hinkelman (Ottawa, Ill.) roped a single into left field to plate Chris Carlson (Schaumburg, Ill.) from second base. After Robert Smith (Bartlett, Ill.) hit a single to load the bases, Evan Frantini (Coal City, Ill.) crushed a double to left field to drive in Devin Standard (Stillman Valley, Ill.) and Hinkelman. Unfortunately the Regents could not tack on any more runs in the inning. After giving up three more runs to the Muskies, the Regents were unable to score and fell by the final of 5-3.
In game two Thomas Goodyear (Romeoville, Ill.) started on the mound and had an impressive performance throwing 7 innings allowing 2 runs, both earned, on 2 hits and striking out 8. Goodyear earned his second victory of the season with the performance. Following Goodyear, was Thomas Bolen (Tucson, Ariz.) who shut down the Muskies. Bolen completed 2 innings of work without allowing a run and only giving up 2 hits.
Offensively Rockford tallied 5 runs on 12 hits. The Regents got on the board immediately in the first inning when Frantini single to right field to plate Smith from second base. Rockford took the lead 1-0 and never surrendered it again. The next scoring opportunity came in the sixth inning when Ryan Scarpetta (Rockton, Ill.) scorched a double to right field to bring in Hinkelman from third base. Following Scarpetta was Andrew Hunt (Apple Valley, Calif.) who hit a sacrifice fly to plate Frantini from third base. The two runs gave Rockford a 3-0 lead. The Regents added their final two runs of the game in the seventh inning when Smith hit a two-run single to drive in Kyle Rothrock (Utica, Ill.) and Britton Seivert (Rockford, Ill.). The hit gave Rockford the 5-0 lead en route to a 5-2 victory.
Playing well for the Regents was Scarpetta who went 4-for-9 including an RBI double. Smith went 4-for-10 with two RBI's and a run scored. Frantini went 4-for-9 with two RBI's and a run scored. Seivert and Carlson each added a multi-hit game.
The Rockford University baseball team returns to action Sunday, May 1 to take on Benedictine University at Rivets Stadium with a scheduled start time of 4 p.m.
