FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Rockford University baseball team lost 7-6 today against the Hiram College Terriers in a Tuesday morning matchup. This game started out as a battle between the two starting pitchers with only 1 hit allowed through the first three innings between both starters. Rockford was able to grab the lead early, but Hiram quickly grabbed control over the game, taking the lead in the 4th inning and holding at least a three-run lead until the last inning. The Regents were slowly able to chip away at the Hiram lead, in large part thanks to a big top of the 9th that erased the 5-run deficit to just one. Rockford had a chance to tie the game up with the tying run on first and two outs, but the Terriers were able to retire the Regents and walk away with the close win.
- Regents starting pitcher Brayden Bidwell and Hiram's Sean Boyle were rolling through the first three innings of the game, with no runs given up by either pitcher and only 1 hit sacrificed between the two.
- Rockford was finally able to break through with a walk from Alex Perez and a 2-run big fly by Jake Bilotta to put the Regents up 2-0 in the top of the 4th inning.
- Hiram responded right away in its half the inning with a 4-run bottom of the 4th, in which they only scratched three hits together, but were able to get on top 4-2.
- The Terriers were again able to score in the 5th inning thanks to a caught stealing at second base that was able to bring the runner on third home and put Hiram up 5-2.
- Both teams threatened to score with runners in scoring position for each of the next two innings, until Hiram was able to put another one on the board with an RBI single coming in the bottom of the 7th to go up 6-2.
- Hiram was again able to extend its lead with a solo shot in the bottom of the 8th inning off the bat of John Bender to put the Terriers up 7-2 with just 3 outs for the Regents to spark something.
- Rockford was able to get things going offensively with a double down the left field line by Enrique Melendez Jr. and after a walk to Zach Duke, Melendez was able to score on an error by the Terriers to make it a 7-3 game.
- The Regents were not done yet as Nick Burdin was able to reach base safely and Joseph Stagowski was able to come up with a 2-run double to cut the Hiram lead to 7-5 and Alex Perez singled right after that to plate Stagowski and make it a one run 7-6 lead for Hiram, unfortunately the Terriers were able to get the last out and hold on for the tight 7-6 win.
- Jake Bilotta provided a 1-5 day, with a 2-run blast, his first of the season.
- Alex Perez went 3-4 with 3 singles, an RBI and reached base safely 4 times.
- Joseph Stagowski had a 2-5 day with a double, a single and 2 RBIs.
- Brayden Bidwell tossed a solid 5.2 innings of work, allowing 2 earned runs, 4 hits and racked up 2 strikeouts.
