LISLE, Ill. - The Rockford University baseball team dropped both of its road games on Wednesday to the Benedictine University Eagles. The Regents were simply unable to get anything going offensively as they recorded just seven hits in both games combined. The Eagles were able to take advantage pounding out 22 hits in the two games en route to a 12-2 win and a 6-0 win.
After falling behind 5-0 early in the opener, the Regents were able to mount a comeback in the top of the fourth to pull back within striking distance. Freshman Jose Miranda (Yuma, Ariz.) crushed a leadoff double into left center field to give the Regents a runner in scoring position with no one out. One batter later, Mitchell Gorsuch (Cherry Valley, Ill.) reached base with an infield single and then advanced to second on a throwing error which also allowed Miranda to score and the Regents to pull within four at 5-1. Rockford would add one additional run in the inning off yet another Benedictine error to make it 5-2 after four innings of play. Unfortunately things took a turn for the worse as the Eagles put the game away with a six-run fifth inning to take game one by a final score of 12-2.
The Regents' offensive struggles continued in game two as they were shutout for the first time this season. However, Rockford did have a few scoring opportunities in the game but was unable to come up with a key hit. The team's best scoring chance came in the fourth when Rockford had runners on first and second with just one out. Josh Bergbreiter (Elk Grove, Ill.) began with inning with a single followed by a walk two batters later by Bryce Hinkelman (Ottawa, Ill.). Unfortunately, the Eagles struck out the next two hitters to end the inning and wiggle out of the jam. Benedictine would eventually seal the victory with a run in the fifth, two in the sixth and two more in the eighth for the 6-0 win.
The Rockford University baseball team plays its final two games of the regular season on Saturday, May 6 at MSOE. First pitch is set for noon.
Rockford currently sits just one game out of the fifth and sixth spots in the NACC Tournament. With a sweep on Saturday and a little help, the Regents will be in a good position to secure one of the final two spots in the conference tournament.
