FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Rockford University baseball team (5-0) opened up its spring trip down in Fort Myers, Florida with a 4-2 win over Bluffton University (4-6). Pitching stole the show for the Regents as Senior right-hander Zack Jones dazzled for seven innings of two hit baseball. Jones allowed two hits, two runs and one earned run, but dominated Bluffton's hitters with 16 strikeouts and an impressive no walks. Carson Balcer came in to close the door for Rockford, striking out two batters and allowing one hit in two innings of work. Rockford hitters stayed hot with four players having a multi-hit game. Michael Gunter and Jacob Rillamas supplied the power for the Regents with doubles. 

• Zack Jones picked up his second win for the Regents. He was spectacular in his seven innings pitched, striking out 16 with two strikeouts away from Rockford University's single-game strikeout record for nine innings. Jones controlled the strike zone not giving up a walk. He struck out two swinging in the bottom of the first inning. Innings two and three, Jones struck out five while hitting a batter. The fourth inning he gave up a single allowing two RBI's, but shut the next three innings down with 6 strikeouts, striking out the side in his last inning. 
• Carson Balcer picked up where Jones left off by retiring the side in the eighth inning and getting out of a jam in the ninth inning to secure his second save. 
• Top of the first inning, Hunter Fiorito led things off with a single and used his speed to steal second base. Troy Tucci got in on the action right away by singling to advance Fiorito to third. 
• Michael Gunter came up with runners at the corners. He grounded out to third, but it was enough to score Fiorito giving the Regents a 1-0 lead.
• Phil Hyland took advantage of a fielding error in the top of the second inning, scoring Rockford's second run of the game. Troy Tucci singled in the top of the third inning for his second hit of the game. Michael Gunter advanced Tucci to third-base. Jake Bilotta grounded to first base, driving in Tucci for an RBI to make it 3-0. Jacob Rillamas hit a double in the top of the fourth inning to add life to the Regents. Iszak Mestas hit a single to advance Rillamas to third. Jacob Rillamas scored the Regents fourth run off a wild pitch to lead 4-0.
• Bluffton made an attempt to come back in the bottom of the fourth inning. An error, hit by pitch and fielder's choice set Bluffton up for a two RBI single to trail the Regents 4-2. However, Rockford tightened up its defense and did not allow Bluffton to score another run.
• The Regents scored one run in each of the first four innings, which was enough to hold off Bluffton and get a win. 

• Zack Jones had a commanding start, picking up the win with 16 strikeouts, 2 hits, an earned run and no walks.
• Carson Balcer threw his second save of the season with 2 strikeouts, 1 hit, no runs and no walks.
• Michael Gunter had a good day at the plate going 2-5 with a double and an RBI.
• Hunter Fiorito finished 2-5 at the plate with a run scored.
• Troy Tucci went 2-5 with a run scored.
• Phil Hyland went 2-4 with a run scored.
• Jacob Rillamas had a double with a run scored

The baseball team returns to the diamond on Sunday, March 8 against Hiram. First pitch is scheduled for 11 AM central time in Fort Myers, Florida.