Rockforsd, Ill. — Illinois Tech Baseball (6-11, 1-3 NACC) played two tight contests on Wednesday, narrowly falling to Rockford University (12-4, 2-2 NACC) with a final score of 4-3 at Regent Field in the second game of the doubleheader. Despite a spirited eighth-inning comeback by the Scarlet Hawks, the Regents clinched the win with a decisive run in the ninth. However, the Scarlet Hawks had already taken game one, clinching a 6-3 victory over Rockford University (11-4, 1-2 NACC) powered by a game-changing four-run fifth inning.
Game 1
The Scarlet Hawks jumped ahead with a 6–3 victory over the Regents in the second game. In the third inning,
Jack Friar crossed the plate thanks to a sacrifice fly from
Christopher Degroot, putting Illinois Tech up 1–0. The fifth inning was pivotal as
Ryan Fostiak and
Tyler Gutsfeld got on base and were driven home by
Quinton Riepl's two-RBI single.
Jonah Wilkes scored on a
Luke Yachnin single, and Riepl came home after
Jack Friar took one for the team with a hit-by-pitch. By the end of the fifth, Illinois Tech was up 5–0.
Rockford answered in the sixth when Zach Fabis scored on a groundout, narrowing it to 5-1. The Regents edged closer in the seventh with Zach Duke scoring on a Blaise Mace single, bringing it to 5-2. The Scarlet Hawks added some insurance in the ninth as
Quinton Riepl scored on another single by
Luke Yachnin. Rockford pushed one more across in the bottom of the ninth when Qj Mangelsen scored on a sacrifice fly, but Illinois Tech held firm for the 6–3 win.
Scarlet Hawk Pitchers
John Gori was stellar on the mound for Illinois Tech, pitching 6 innings with just 2 hits and 1 earned run allowed while striking out 7 batters.
Cullen Fulling and
Joseph Belflower combined for 2 2/3 innings, surrendering 2 hits and 2 earned runs with 2 strikeouts.
Austin Schnurr sealed the deal in the final 1/3 inning, striking out the lone batter he faced for the save.
Scarlet Hawk Standouts
Jack Friar
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- 1 run
- 1 hit
- 1 RBI
- 1 stolen base
Quinton Riepl
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- 2 runs
- 2 hits
- 2 RBIs
Luke Yachnin
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- 3 hits
- 2 RBIs
- 1 stolen base
John Gori
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- 6 innings pitched
- 7 strikeouts
- 2 hits allowed
Rockford Top Performers
Blaise Mace
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- 2 RBIs
- 1 hit
- 4 assists
Zach Duke
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- 2 hits
- 1 double
- 1 run
- 5 assists
Zach Fabis
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- 1 run
- 1 double
- 1 hit
Game Notes:
-
John Gori notched a season-high 7 strikeouts.
- Gori also pitched a season-high 6 innings.
Game 2
Illinois Tech encountered early challenges as Rockford jumped ahead in the first inning. Bryce Stanton and Zach Fabis each drove in a run, giving the Regents a 2-0 lead. Rockford stretched the lead to 3-0 in the fifth inning with a solo home run by Kadin Bergstrom. By the end of five innings, the Scarlet Hawks found themselves down 3-0.
Illinois Tech rallied in the sixth when
Luke Yachnin singled to right center, allowing
Quinton Riepl to score an unearned run, cutting the lead to 3-1. The Scarlet Hawks continued their rally in the eighth inning.
Philip Bentz's single and an error allowed Yachnin to score, and
Ryan Fostiak's groundout brought
Jack Friar home, tying the game at 3-3. But in a tense ninth inning, Rockford regained control. Fabis singled, driving in Qj Mangelsen to secure a 4-3 victory for the Regents.
Scarlet Hawk Pitchers
John Moran started for Illinois Tech, pitching 1 1/3 innings and giving up two earned runs on four hits with one walk.
Carson Weis delivered a solid relief performance, pitching 3 innings and allowing one earned run on four hits, while striking out two.
Joshua Lamberson added 3 innings of scoreless relief, striking out two and yielding three hits with no walks, maintaining a 1.00 WHIP.
Cameron Bracewell contributed 1 1/3 innings, allowing one run on one hit and striking out two.
Austin Schnurr faced one batter in the ninth and gave up a hit without recording an out.
Scarlet Hawk Standouts
Jack Friar
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- 1 run
- 3 walks
- 1 stolen base
- 4 assists
Ryan Fostiak
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- 1 RBI
- 1 double
- .600 OPS
Luke Yachnin
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- 1 run
- 2 hits
- 1 RBI
- 1 stolen base
Rockford Top Performers
Kadin Bergstrom
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- 2 runs
- 2 hits
- 1 home run
- 1 RBI
Zach Fabis
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- 3 hits
- 2 RBIs
- 1 sacrifice hit
Bryce Stanton
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- 2 hits
- 1 double
- 1 RBI
Game Notes:
- The Scarlet Hawks are now 12-9 overall all time against the Regents.
- Achieved at least 3 stolen bases in 3 consecutive games, showcasing consistency in this category.
- Friar recorded a season-high with 3 walks.
Up Next
Illinois Tech is set to travel to face Marian University at noon CT on Saturday, March 28 in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin.
