BELOIT, Wis. - The Rockford University baseball team split a pair of games with the Illinois Tech Scarlet Hawks, losing the first 15-6 in a slated 7-inning game and winning the second, 6-5 in walk-off fashion. The Scarlet Hawks were quickly able to grab a commanding lead in the second inning of game one. Illinois Tech was also able to keep the Rockford offense relatively quiet, allowing them to walk away with the win in game one. In game two, Regent's starting pitcher
Paul Turelli was quite effective, not allowing a hit until the 4th inning. The offense was clicking as well, putting up five runs in five innings. Unfortunately, Illinois Tech was able to battle back and eventually tie the game at 5-5, but in the bottom of the 10th inning, the Regents were able to walk it off with a sac fly from
Nate Burdin to win the game and split the doubleheader with the Scarlet Hawks.
Game 1: Illinois Tech 15 Rockford 6
- After neither team was able to get anything going in the first inning, the Scarlet Hawks erupted for an 11-run bottom of the second on just 6 hits to take a commanding 11-0 lead.
- The Regents were able to scratch together a run in their bottom of the second with an RBI from Ethan Pedroza to try and chip away at the Scarlet Hawk lead.
- Both teams traded runs in the third to bring the score to 12-2.
- Neither team was able to push any more runs across until the 5th inning, where each team again traded a single run to make it a 13-3 game.
- The Regents were able to finally cut into the lead with a 3-run bottom of the 6th thanks to a two-out, two-run triple from Jake Bilotta and a single by Kadin Bergstrom to plate Bilotta and make it a 13-6 game.
- Unfortunately, the Scarlet Hawks were able to grow their lead in the top of the 7th with a 2-run inning to make it 15-6 and were able to close out the game and take game 1.
Game 2: Rockford 6 Illinois Tech 5
- The Regents were able to quickly grab a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st thanks to an RBI walk from Kadin Bergstrom and a Sac Fly from Jake Bilotta.
- Rockford was able to cash in again in the bottom of the 2nd with an RBI single coming off the bat of Alex Perez to put the Regents up 3-0.
- Paul Turelli was also able to dominate throughout the first 5 innings, not allowing a hit, via a bunt single, until the 4th inning.
- Rockford was again able to add on in the bottom of the 5th with a 2-run inning on just 2 hits to put the Regents up 5-0.
- The Scarlet Hawks were finally able to break into Rockford's lead, scratching a run on the board in the top of the 6th to make it a 5-1 game.
- Illinois Tech again cut into the lead with a 3-run 7th inning to make it a tight 5-4 game.
- Neither team was able to push any more runs across until the top of the 9th, down to their last out the Scarlet Hawks were able to equalize the game, deadlocked at a 5-5 score.
- After neither team scored to start extra innings, Rockford was able to load the bases up after a lead-off double by Jake Bilotta, followed by a successful sac bunt and two intentional walks, Nate Burdin was able to cash in with a sac fly and give Rockford the 6-5 win in walk-off fashion.
Game 1 Stat Leaders
- Jake Bilotta had a 1-3 day, including a triple, a walk, 2 runs scored and 2 RBIs
- Kadin Bergstrom provided a 1-3 line and drove in 2 runs.
Game 2 Stat Leaders
- Alex Perez provided a 3-5 day with 3 singles, picking up an RBI also.
- Paul Turelli delivered a stellar 5.0 innings of work, racking up 10 strikeouts, only allowing 2 hits and 1 run.
- Jake Bilotta scored the winning run, went 1-3 with a double and scored 2 runs.
