ROCKFORD, Ill.- The Rockford University baseball team returned to action today to take on Illinois Tech in a non-conference doubleheader. The Regents were hoping to gain some momentum before embarking on their final six games of the NACC season. The Regents were able to earn a victories in both games by the final of 9-5 and 11-4.
In game one Rockford jumped out to the early lead in the first inning when Jose Miranda (Yuma, Ariz.) smoked an RBI double center field to drive in Patrick O'Malley (Elk Grove, Ill.). Rockford added two more runs in the third inning when Austin Smith (Peru, Ill.) roped a two-run double to left field to plate Mitchell Gorsuch (Cherry Valley, Ill.) and Miranda. The runs gave RU the early 3-0 lead. IIT added two runs in the fourth inning to narrow their deficit to 3-2. However, Rockford was able to respond when O'Malley hit an RBI groundout to extend the lead to 4-2 after four innings.
In the fifth inning the Scarlet Hawks added another run to narrow the deficit to 4-3. Once again, the Regents responded with three runs of their own in the fifth inning to extend their lead to 7-3. The runs began when Smith hit another RBI double to left field to bring in Miranda. Next, a wild pitch allowed another RU run to come across the plate. The final run of the inning came when Michael Tosado (Chicago, Ill.) hit an RBI single to drive in Smith. Ultimately, Illinois Tech was able to add one more run in the seventh and ninth before the Rockford bullpen closed out the game. The Regents added two more insurance runs in the eighth and won by the final of 9-5.
Starting on the mound in game on was David Camacho (Elk Grove, Ill.). Camacho had another quality start throwing six innings allowing three runs on seven hits while striking out seven. With the solid performance he earned his fifth victory of the season. Dalton Morris (Somonauk, Ill.), Spencer Lentz (Stillman Valley, Ill.) and Thomas Bolen (Tucson, Ariz.) combined to complete the final three innings allowing only one unearned run.
In game two, Rockford jumped out to the early 3-0 lead through the first two innings. The runs came when Josh Bergbreiter (Elk Grove, Ill.) hit an RBI single to right field to drive in Corey Saracco (Montgomery, Ill.). Later, Smith smoked an RBI triple to left field to bring in Bergbreiter. The final run came when Nathan Burris (Oglesby, Ill.) hit an RBI groundout to plate Britton Seivert (Rockford, Ill.). Illinois Tech added a run in the third inning to narrow the Rockford lead to 3-1.
In the third and fourth innings RU added three more runs to extend their lead to 6-1. The scoring began when Miranda smoked an RBI single to right field to drive in Bergbreiter. Rockford's two runs in the fourth inning came when Bryce Hinkelman (Ottawa, Ill.) roped a two-run double down the left field line to bring in Bergbreiter and Saracco. The Regents did not stop there by taking a commanding lead in the fifth inning by plating five more runs to take an 11-1 lead. The Scarlet Hawks were able to add three runs before the Regents nailed the door shut in the final two frames. Rockford won by the final of 11-4.
Starting on the mound in game two was Brady Frank (Freeport, Ill.). Frank threw five strong innings allowing one unearned run on two hits while striking out six. Ben Kolkmeyer (Belvidere, Ill.) and Gary Broenneke (Chicago, Ill.) combined to throw two innings allowing three unearned runs. Zachary Jones (Rockford, Ill.) and Joseph Kmiec (Bolingbrook, Ill.) combined to throw the final two innings without allowing a run to close the game out.
Leading the Regents offensively were Austin Smith who went 5-for-9 with three doubles, a triple, four RBI's and two runs scored on the day. Jose Miranda went 4-for-9 with three RBI's and two runs scored. Bryce Hinkelman went 4-for-9 with a double and two RBI's. Josh Bergbreiter added a multi-hit effort in the second game with four runs scored and two RBI's. Corey Saracco collected a multi-hit game in the second game with two runs scored, an RBI and drew a walk.
RU returns to action Wednesday, April 26 to take on Beloit College in Beloit, Wis. with a scheduled start time of 3 p.m.
