ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University Baseball team split a pair of conference games with the MSOE Raiders, falling in game one 7-6 and winning game two 12-9. Game one featured a late-inning thriller as both teams were deadlocked to a 3-3 score through five innings, but the lead would change three more times before games end. Rockford actually held a 6-5 lead heading into the ninth inning, but unfortunately the Raiders were able to rally to take the lead and despite the fight from Rockford, eventually secured the 7-6 win in game one. Game two was all Rockford through the first four innings, getting out to a 7-0 lead, however the Raiders battled all the way back to eventually take a 9-8 lead. Fortunately, a four-run eighth inning powered the Regents back into the lead, highlighted by a go-ahead two-run single by
Nate Burdin.
Zach Fabis then recorded the final three outs of the game for Rockford, securing the thrilling 12-9 win and the split with the Raiders.
Game 1
- The Regents got their offense rolling early, striking for three runs in the bottom of the first. After Jake Bilotta walked and Joseph Stagowski was hit by a pitch to start the inning, Kadin Bergstrom came through with a two-run double blistered to center.
- Bergstrom later came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Bryce Stanton to make it an early 3-0 advantage for Rockford.
- The Raiders were able to cut into the Regent lead with a single run in the second inning on a steal of home to make it a 3-1 game.
- Both starting pitchers, Rockford's Adrian Rapier and MSOE's Kellen Pate settled in after the first 1.5 innings of play, not allowing another run between the two of them until the fifth inning.
- Unfortunately, it was MSOE who broke through, plating two runs in the fifth inning, getting a two-run home run off the bat of Jordan Skolmar to tie the game at 3-3.
- The Raiders pushed themselves into the lead with single runs scored in each of the seventh and eighth innings, to take a 5-3 lead.
- Rockford responded in the bottom of the eight with three runs on three hits. With Jake Bilotta and Kadin Bergstrom on base, Zach Fabis ripped a game-tying triple to right center and he later came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Bryce Stanton to give the Regents the late 6-5 lead.
- Unfortunately, the Raiders took the lead right back in the ninth with a walk and back-to-back doubles to take a 7-6 lead with just three outs left for the Regent offense.
- Rockford did battle until the final out, getting the tying run in scoring position with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, but the Raiders were able to record the final out of the game on a diving catch by MSOE's left fielder AJ Le, to secure the slight 7-6 win in game one.
Game 2
- Rockford again struck first in game two, this time with a bang as Joseph Stagowski blasted a two-run homer over the left center wall to give RU an early 2-0 lead.
- RU starting pitcher Brayden Bidwell was able to hold the Raiders scoreless over the first four innings, retiring the first six out of seven batters he saw and sacrificing just three hits.
- Rockford scored two more runs in the bottom of the third inning. After Jake Bilotta led off the inning with a triple, Joseph Stagowski knocked him in with an RBI double and Kadin Bergstrom cleared the bases with his NACC-leading 12th home run of the season.
- The Regents added onto their lead with a two more runs in the fourth. Kadin Bergstrom delivered an RBI single for the first run and Zach Fabis plated the second run of the inning with an RBI groundout to give RU a 7-0 lead.
- The Raiders eventually broke through with two runs in the top of the fifth on a two-run double to make it a 7-2 lead.
- Rockford got one of those runs back with an RBI double by David Wilhite in the bottom of the fifth to give RU an 8-2 lead.
- The Raiders continued to cut into the RU lead, scoring three more runs in the top of the sixth to make it just an 8-5 lead.
- MSOE took control of the lead in the next inning, taking advantage of two hit by pitches, scoring four runs on four hits to take a 9-8 lead.
- Fortunately, the Regents rallied in the eighth for four runs on just two hits. After back-to-back hit by pitches to begin the inning, with runners on the corners, Zach Fabis delivered an RBI single to tie the game.
- One batter later, Nate Burdin gave the Regents the lead with a go-ahead two-run single and Rockford scored its final run on a sacrifice bunt by Zach Duke to give RU a 12-9 lead.
- Zach Fabis was able to record the final three outs for the Regents, striking out the final two batters of the game to pick up his first career save, secure the 12-9 victory and force the split with MSOE.
Game 1
Game 2
- Joseph Stagowski finished a perfect 3-for-3 and triple shy of the cycle, racking up his 9th home run of the season, a double, 3 RBIs, 3 runs scored and a walk.
- Kadin Bergstrom was 2-for-5 with his NACC-leading 12th home run of the season, 3 RBIs and 2 runs scored.
- Nate Burdin went 2-for-5 with 2 RBIs.
- Zach Fabis was 2-for-5 with 2 RBIs and a run scored. On the mound, he picked up his first career save with 1.0 inning and 2 strikeouts.
- Jake Bilotta finished 1-for-4 with a triple and four runs scored
