LOVES PARK, Ill.- The Rockford University baseball team returned to action today after an impressive road conference sweep on Saturday to take on Aurora University in another Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference doubleheader. The Regents and Spartans came in tied at fifth in the NACC standings. Ultimately, Rockford was able to take game one 8-3, but fell in game two 11-6.
Rockford was able to jump on the board first in the third inning when Patrick O'Malley (Elk Grove, Ill.) placed a beautiful RBI bunt single on a safety squeeze to plate Jose Miranda (Yuma, Ariz.). One batter later, Chris Carlson (Schaumburg, Ill.) hit an RBI single down the left-field line to drive in Austin Smith (Peru, Ill.). Next was Nathan Burris (Oglesby, Ill.) who was hit by a pitch to bring in O'Malley from third. The next batter was Cole Logemann (Lena, Ill.). Logemann hammered a grand slam home run over the left-center field fence to drive in all runners. The massive third inning gave the Regents a 7-0 lead.
After Aurora added three runs in the seventh inning, Rockford added one insurance run to take an 8-3 lead through eight innings. Ultimately, the Regents won by the final of 8-3.
Starting on the mound in game one was David Camacho (Elk Grove, Ill.). Camacho turned in yet another solid performance throwing 7 innings allowing 3 runs, 1 earned, on 8 hits while striking out 3. He earned his fourth victory of the season. Combining to throw the final two innings were Ben Kolkmeyer (Belvidere, Ill.) and Thomas Bolen (Tucson, Ariz.) allowing zero runs on only two hits.
In game two it was the Spartans jumping out to the early lead scoring the first six runs. However, the Regents were able to get back into the game by posting four runs in the fifth inning. The scoring began when Logemann hit an RBI single to drive in Tyler Johnson (Chicago, Ill.). Next, Bryce Hinkelman (Ottawa, Ill.) smoked an RBI single to right field to bring in Logemann from second base. Next, was Miranda roping an RBI double to drive in Hinkelman. Lastly, Rockford was able to take advantage of an Aurora error. The Regents had narrowed their deficit to two runs, 6-4, after five innings.
Unfortunately, the Spartans were able to add three runs in the seventh inning to extend their lead to 9-4. Rockford was able to respond with one run in the seventh inning when Smith hit an RBI groundout to plate Logemann from third base. The Regents trailed 9-5 heading to the eighth inning. Aurora added two more runs and Rockford could only muster one more run to ultimately fall by the final of 11-6.
Starting on the mound for game two was Brady Frank (Freeport, Ill.) who lasted two innings. Joe Preston (Touhy, Neb.) followed with three strong innings of relief without allowing an earned run. Bolen, Zachary Jones (Rockford, Ill.) and Christian Pearcy (Tucson, Ariz.) combined to throw the final four innings in relief.
Leading Rockford offensively was Cole Logemann who went 6-for-9 with a home run, 2 doubles, 6 RBI's and 4 runs scored. Logemann is now 18-for-33 in his last 7 games carrying Rockford to 4 wins in their last 7 games. Jose Miranda was 4-for-6 with an RBI double, a walk and 2 runs scored. Bryce Hinkelman added 3 hits, an RBI, a run scored and a walk. Tyler Johnson went 2-for-5 with 2 runs scored in the second game. Patrick O'Malley went 2-for-5 in the first game.
RU returns to action Wednesday, April 12 to take on Beloit College at Rivets Stadium with a scheduled start time of 6 p.m.
