LOVES PARK, Ill.-The Rockford University baseball team returned to action Monday to take on Benedictine University in a game that was rescheduled from Sunday to Monday due to rain and poor field conditions. Rockford entered the game looking to improve their position on the conference tournament standings. Ultimately, the Regents were unable to make up ground and fell by the finals of 14-2 and 5-0.
In game one Adam O'Malley (Elk Grove, Ill.) started the game on the mound and completed 5 innings allowing 7 runs. Chad Thompson (Morton Grove, Ill.) and Jake Morsch (Somonauk, Ill.) completed the final three innings allowing seven runs.
Offensively Rockford collected 2 runs on 7 hits. Their first scoring chance came in the first inning when Evan Frantini (Coal City, Ill.) smoked a double into left field to move into scoring position with two outs. Following Frantini, Ryan Scarpetta (Rockton, Ill.)crushed an RBI double off the left field wall to drive in Frantini from second base. Unfortunately, the Eagles scored the next nine runs to take a 9-1 lead. In the home half of the seventh inning the Regents found their next scoring opportunity when Scarpetta hit a bases loaded RBI single to plate Devin Standard (Stillman Valley, Ill.)from third base. Ultimately, Rockford could not tally more runs in the inning as a foul out and pop out completed the inning. The Regents fell by the final of 14-2 in eight innings.
In game two Joseph Valdez (Tucson, Ariz.)started on the mound and threw 2 1/3 innings allowing 4 runs and striking out 5. Following Valdez, were Nathan Mulzer (Neenah, Wis.) and Tyler Joyce (Rochelle, Ill.). Mulzer and Joyce shut down the Benedictine offense throwing 6 2/3 innings allowing 1 run on 3 hits while striking out 5. The duo combined to keep Rockford in the game and give the team ample opportunities to cut into the deficit.
Offensively Rockford did not score a run while collecting 5 hits. Their first scoring opportunity came when Scarpetta led the inning off with a double to right-center field to break up the no-hit bid from Benedictine. Unfortunately, the Regents could not bring Scarpetta around to score ending the inning with a line out and two ground outs. Again in the seventh inning the Regents had another scoring opportunity when the team loaded the bases with two outs but again failed to drive a runner in grounding out to end the inning. Ultimately, Rockford could not cash in on any scoring opportunities and fell by the final of 5-0.
Playing well for the Regents were Scarpetta who went 5-for-8 with 2 RBI's and added 2 doubles. Standard collected two hits on the day with a run scored.
The Rockford University baseball team returns to action Saturday, May 7 in their regular season finale against MSOE at Rivets Stadium with a scheduled start time of 12 p.m.
