TUCSON, Ariz. - The Rockford University baseball team won its second straight game with a 7-5 victory over Crown College on Tuesday afternoon. The Regents exploded for four runs in the first and three more in the seventh to account for all of their scoring in the game. The RU pitching staff also performed well on Tuesday. Relievers
Aaron Monti and
Will Hissong combined to allow just one unearned run over three innings and pick up the win and the save respectively.
- Rockford erupted for four runs off just two hits in the bottom of the first inning. Zach Fabis knocked in the first run of the game on an RBI fielders choice. Cobi Cooper and Ryan Stary followed with RBI singles, and Nate Burdin drove in the other run on an RBI groundout to short.
- The Polars wasted little time cutting into the RU lead. Ashton Long led off the second inning with a solo home run to make it a 4-1 game.
- Regent starting pitcher Alex Easton then held Crown scoreless over the next three innings. Easton allowed just two hits in those frames, as Rockford maintained its three-run advantage.
- Unfortunately, the Polars plated a trio of runs over the next two innings, two of which were unearned, to tie the game at 4-4.
- However, Rockford hit right back for three runs in the bottom of the seventh to retake the lead. The Regents had just two hits in the inning, but capitalized on an error, two walks and two hit batsmen. Jake Bilotta singled in the first run and then Kadin Bergstrom and Zach Fabis each drew RBI walks to put the Regents back in front 7-4.
- The score remained unchanged until a nerve-racking ninth inning. Rockford walked four batters and hit another to put the tying run on second with two outs. Fortunately, closer Will Hissong entered the game and retired the final batter to secure his third save of the season.
- Aaron Monti entered in relief to earn the win and move to 1-0 this year. Monti allowed no earned runs and just two hits over his 2.2 innings of work.
- Will Hissong faced just two batters, but retired the final batter of the game to leave the bases loaded and earn his third save of the season.
- Starter Alex Easton tossed 5.1 innings, scattering 7 hits and allowing only 2 earned runs, while striking out 4 batters.
- Ryan Stary went 2-for-4 with an RBI, a stolen base and a run scored.
- Zach Duke was also 2-for-4 with a run scored.
- Zach Fabis finished 1-for-3 with a run scored and 2 RBIs.
- Cobi Cooper went 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored.
