TUCSON, Ariz. - The Rockford University baseball team won its third straight game on Wednesday by defeating Wesleyan University by a final score of 7-6. Starting pitcher
Adrian Rapier went six strong innings, allowing just one earned run and striking out a season-high nine batters. The RU offensive attack backed Rapier's strong start with six runs over the first two innings, including a two-run double off the bat of
Zach Fabis. The Cardinals were able to cut the Regent lead down to just a single run in the ninth, but closer
Will Hissong was able to wiggle out of jam to earn his NACC-leading fourth save of the season.
- The Regents stuck for a pair of runs in the top of the first despite recording just one hit in the inning. Cobi Cooper delivered that hit with the bases loaded to make it a 2-0 Rockford lead.
- The Cardinals cut the RU lead in half on an RBI groundout in the bottom half of the inning.
- Fortunately, the RU offense exploded for four runs in the top of the second. Blaise Mace got things started with an RBI double to center field to make it 3-1 game. Following a walk and a flyout, Mace and Zach Duke executed a double steal to perfection, scoring a run, and extending Rockford's lead to 4-1. The Regents' final two runs of the frame came on a two-out, two-run double off the bat of Zach Fabis.
- Both pitching staffs began to settle in after that, as there was just one run scored over the next four and a half innings.
- Adrian Rapier surrendered only one unearned run over his final five innings of work. Rapier struck out at least one batter in every inning except the fifth, including striking out the side in the sixth.
- The Regents then added to their lead with what turned out to be a crucial run in the top of the seventh. A walk and a Bryce Stanton single put runners on the corners with just one out. One batter later, pinch hitter Erik Carlson lifted a sacrifice fly into center field to increase Rockford's lead to 7-2.
- However, the Cardinals responded with a pair of runs of their own in the bottom of the frame. Wesleyan had two hits and capitalized on a Regent error to send the game into the ninth with the Regents now leading 7-4.
- Things got a bit dicey in the ninth, thanks to an error and three walks. Weslyan scored a pair of unearned runs in the inning and had both the tying and winning runs on base. However, closer Will Hissong was able to escape the jam by picking off the runner on second to win the game and earn the save.
- Adrian Rapier turned in his best start of the season on Wednesday. He fired 6 innings, allowing just 1 earned run and striking out a season-high 9 batters.
- Zach Fabis finished 2-for-3 with a double, a walk, 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored.
- Enrique Melendez Jr. went 2-for-3 with a run scored.
- Cobi Cooper was 1-for-3 with an RBI.
- Blaise Mace went 1-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a run scored.
- Will Hissong pitched the ninth and earned his fourth save of the year.
