FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Rockford University baseball team bashed its way to a 14-4 victory over Muskingum University Wednesday afternoon in Florida. The Regents were quickly able to grab a 7-0 lead in a big first inning and never trailed again for the remainder of the game. Rockford was able to score five runs via the long ball and starting pitcher
Nate Burdin was able to pitch effectively and keep the Muskingum offense in check. Despite the Fighting Muskies effort to creep back into the game, the Regents were able to stay in control and force the game to end in just 7 innings with the mercy rule in effect to allow Rockford to walk away with the big win.
- After holding the Fighting Muskies in the top of the 1st, Rockford's offense exploded with a 7-run first inning, started off by Jake Bilotta with a 3-run bomb for his second in two days to put RU up 3-0.
- The Regents added on again in the 1st with a bases loaded walk and Blaise Mace cleared the bases with a 3-RBI double to put Rockford up 7-0 after just the first inning.
- Rockford starting pitcher Nick Burdin made quick work of Muskingum in the top of the 2nd and the Regents hit their second homer of the day in the bottom half with a solo blast from Joseph Stagowski to give the Regents an 8-0 lead.
- The Fighting Muskies were able to get on the board with a 2-run top of the 3rd after they were able to get a walk, double and single all in a row to make it an 8-2 game.
- Muskingum was again able to claw away at the Rockford lead with a 2-run top of the 4th as well to cut the Regent lead in half at 8-4.
- Rockford again got the offense going thanks to a lead off missile over the wall in left-center by Kadin Bergstrom to put Rockford up 9-4 and after two straight walks, Jared Herzog was able to drive the runners in with a 2-run double to make it 11-4.
- The Regents kept it going with an Alex Perez single to plate Jared Herzog and put Rockford up 12-4 and Jake Bilotta was able to add to the lead with a sacrifice fly and make it 13-4.
- Rockford was able to tack on another run in the bottom of the 6th after Kadin Bergstrom singled, got to third via an error and Blaise Mace drove him in with an RBI double to make the score 14-4.
- With the Regents up 10 in the 7th, they just needed three outs to hold onto the game and Will Hissong was able to retire the Fighting Muskies in order to close the game out and allow Rockford to walk away with the 14-4 win in 7 innings.
- Blaise Mace provided a big 3-4 day with 2 doubles and 4 RBIs, reaching base safely 4 total times.
- Jake Bilotta hit his second home run in 2 days with a 3-run home run and 4 total RBIs.
- Kadin Bergstrom put up a 2-3 line with a solo shot, 3 runs scored and was on base 3 times.
- Joseph Stagowski went 1-3 with 3 runs scored and a solo bomb, his second of the season.
- Will Hissong provided a nearly flawless 2 innings, only allowing 1 hit and racking up 1 strikeout.
