FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Regents (8-3) bounced back from yesterday's tough loss with an impressive 11-8 win Friday morning over Wittenberg University (7-3). The Regents pounded out 16 hits against the Tigers, marking the sixth time this season Rockford has tallied at least 11 hits in a single game. Following a slow start to the game, the RU offense came to life with four runs in the third and scored in each of the next four innings, to lift the Regents to an 11-8 comeback win.
- The day got off to a slow start for both offenses, as game remained scoreless through two innings of play.
- Rockford University starting pitcher Christian Pearcy got the start and pitched well during his time on the mound. Pearcy retired the first six batters of the game, as the Regents and Tigers entered the third tied 0-0.
- However, the Tigers exploded for six runs in the top of the third inning. Wittenberg used six hits and took advantage of two Regent errors to take a 6-0 lead.
- Fortunately, Rockford answered right back with four runs in the bottom half of the inning. Christian Garcia got things started with a leadoff double, advanced to third and then scored on multiple wild pitches. Phil Hyland and Iszak Mestas followed with back-to-back singles, putting runners on first and second with still no one out. Senior Hunter Fiorito then belted a three-run home run over the left field wall, as Rockford pulled back within two, at 6-4.
- Rockford added another run in the bottom of the fourth, making it a 6-5 game. Logan Streit laced a one-out triple to right center and then scored on a Christian Garcia RBI grounder to short.
- However, the Tigers would add a single run in the top of the fifth to make it 7-5.
- The Regents then tied the game in the bottom half of the frame, with two runs off three hits and one Tiger error. Iszak Mestas and Troy Tucci doubled and singled, putting runners on second and third with just one out. One batter later, Michael Gunter drove in the first run of the inning on an RBI groundout to second base. Corey Saracco then tied the game with an RBI double to left.
- Rockford was finally able to take its first lead of the game in the bottom of the sixth. Christian Garcia and Phil Hyland strung together back-to-back singles and put runners on first and second with one out. Two batters later, Hunter Fiorito came through with a clutch two-out RBI single to right, to give the Regents an 8-7 advantage.
- The Regents tacked on three more runs off four hits in the bottom of the seventh. Corey Saracco and Jake Bilotta both reached base safely via a walk and a single to right. Logan Streit, Christian Garcia and Phil Hyland all laced RBI singles into the outfield, to put the Regents out in front 11-7.
- A four-run lead proved to be more than enough for the Regent bullpen over the final three innings. Clay Goodwin entered the game in the seventh and promptly struck out the side looking. Goodwin then fanned two more in the eighth, while also holding the Tigers scoreless. Joseph Kmiec entered in the ninth and struck out the final batter of the game, to secure an 11-8 victory.
- Hunter Fiorito finished 2-for-5 with a home run, a run scored and 4 runs batted in.
- Christian Garcia went 3-for-4 with a double, 3 runs scored and 2 runs batted in.
- Phil Hyland was also 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.
- Corey Saracco finished 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
- Logan Streit was 2-for-4 with a triple, 2 runs scored and an RBI.
- Iszak Mestas went 2-for-4 with a double and 2 runs scored.
- Christian Pearcy picked up the win to move to 3-0 this season. Pearcy went 6 innings, allowing 4 earned runs and striking out 6.
- Clay Goodwin tossed a pair of shutout innings in relief. Goodwin struck out 5 and allowed no hits over his two innings.
- Joseph Kmiec threw the final inning of the game, striking out one and allowing no hits or earned runs.
The Rockford University baseball team will conclude the entire spring season on Saturday, March 14 against Carroll University. First pitch is set for 12 PM Eastern time in Fort Myers, Florida.
