LOVES PARK, Ill. - The Rockford University baseball team (15-23, 7-13 NACC) clinched the number four seed for the NACC South Division Tournament while sweeping Concordia University Chicago Cougars (11-25, 4-16 NACC) Sunday afternoon. Rockford swept Concordia Chicago in its doubleheader for the first time since 2004 and clinched a NACC Tournament playoff birth for the first time since 2014. Both games were very close with Rockford coming out on top 6-5 in game one and 8-7 in game two. The Regents will begin NACC South Division Tournament play Friday, May 14 at 4:30 PM at Aurora University's home field.
Game 1: Rockford 6 Concordia Chicago 5
- Rockford quickly got on the board for the first runs of the game in the first inning. Troy Tucci singled to right field to score Christian Garcia and put the Regents up 1-0 early.
- The Regents increased its lead in the second inning while holding the Cougars to no runs. Hunter Fiorito singled up the middle to score Iszak Mestas, Jared Herzog hit a double down the left-field line to score Zach Hunter and Tyler Peake. Troy Tucci hit a sacrifice fly scoring Hunter Fiorito and ending the Regents rally.
- However, in the third inning with Rockford up 5-0, Concordia Chicago pieced together a five-run inning to tie the Regents.
- Iszak Mestas led off the bottom of the fifth inning with a double down the left-field line and was moved over to third on Zach Hunter's sac bunt. Tyler Peake came through for the Regents with a clutch single into center field scoring Iszak Mestas to take a one-run lead over the Cougars.
- With Rockford clinging to a one-run lead, Christian Dahlstrom threw four shut-out inning's giving the Regents a 6-5 win over the Cougars.
Game 2: Rockford 8 Concordia Chicago 7
- The Regents struck early again with Troy Tucci doubling down the right-field line in the first inning scoring Phil Hyland and Jared Herzog to take a 2-0 lead.
- However, the Cougars tied it in the third inning with a double and a single to keep the battle alive.
- Concordia Chicago scored three runs in the fourth inning to take a 5-2 lead over the Regents. The Cougars hit a triple followed by a double to overtake the Regents.
- Rockford answered in the bottom of the fourth with three runs to tie Concordia Chicago 5-5. Patrick Einhaus singled through the left side to score a run for the Regents, Caleb Randolph singled to second base to score Patrick Einhaus and Zachary Froehlich hit a sacrifice fly scoring Christopher Connolly.
- The Cougars tacked on a run in the fifth and seventh innings from sacrifice fly's to take a 7-5 lead heading into the eighth inning.
- The Regents chipped away with a run in the bottom of the eighth when Aaron Monti singled to third base scoring Caleb Randolph to trail the Cougars 7-6.
- With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Rockford walked-off in wild fashion when Bradey Franks reached base on a fielder's choice error that allowed Caleb Randolph and Zach Rydell to score and win the game 8-7, sweeping Concordia Chicago.
Game 1:
Game 2:
- Troy Tucci went 2 for 2 with 2 doubles and 2 RBIs.
- Caleb Randolph went 2 for 4 with a double, 2 runs scored and an RBI.
- Zach Rydell went 1 for 2 with a double and a run scored.
- Christopher Connolly went 1 for 3 with a double and a run scored.
- Clay Goodwin got his first win of the season throwing an inning and not allowing a run, hit or walk.
The RU baseball team will return to the field Friday, May 14 to begin the NACC South Division Tournament. First pitch is slated for 4:30 PM at Aurora University's home field.
