April 6, 2021

Smith cycles in Rockford sweep

More news about: Rockford

LOVES PARK, Ill. - The Rockford University baseball team (8-9) swept the Maranatha Baptist University Sabercats (0-6) Tuesday night. Rockford won the first game by a score of 27-0 while breaking the school record for most triples in a game with four in game one. The Regents also tied the school record for most hits in an inning with 10 hits in the second inning of game one. Rockford won the second game by a score of 16-0 and Jared Herzog tied the school record for most strikeouts in a seven-inning game with 15 strikeouts in game two. In game one Ryan Smith hit for the cycle going 5-6 with a homer, triple, two doubles and a single.

Game 1: Rockford 27 Maranatha 0 (7 innings)

  • Rockford jumped out to a quick lead in the first inning scoring three runs. Hunter Fiorito scored the Regents first run from a wild pitch. Jared Herzog hit a sacrifice fly to right-field to score Phil Hyland. Troy Tucci hit a double to score Ryan Smith for the final run of the inning.
  • In the second inning, the Regents broke it open with a 12-run inning. Zachary Froehlich was the first to score from an error by the first baseman. Christian Garcia homered over the left-field wall to score Jared Herzog and Phil Hyland. Troy Tucci roped a triple to right-center to score Ryan Smith. Troy Tucci scored on a ground out back to the pitcher. Hunter Fiorito singled to left-field, Phil Hyland tripled to left-center, Jared Herzog singled through the left side and Ryan Smith doubled to left-field with Zachary Froehlich, Hunter Fiorito, Tyler Peake, Phil Hyland and Jared Herzog all coming in to score.
  • Both teams were quiet in the third inning, but Rockford continued to add in the bottom of the fourth with a three-run homer from Ryan Smith to score Justin Hallberg and Peyton McCray.
  • The Regents tacked on another nine runs in the fifth inning. Justin Hallberg got things started with a big RBI double to center field to score Jordin Lee. Ryan Smith followed with a single to left-center to score Justin Hallberg and Peyton McCray. Hunter Svec got in on the action with a single to left-field to score Ryan Smith. Kal Fortner and Caleb Randolph both scored from fielder's choices. Hunter Svec took advantage of a dropped infield fly rule to score. Justin Hallberg capped off the inning with his second extra-base hit in the inning, this time a triple to right-center to score Jordin Lee and Bradey Franks.
  • With solid pitching from Adrian Rapier, Carson Balcer and Christian Dahlstrom, Rockford was able to hold Maranatha and win game one 27-0.
  • Ryan Smith hit for the cycle going 5-6 with a homer, a triple, 2 doubles and a single. Smith also had 6 RBI's and 4 runs scored.

Game 2: Rockford 16 Maranatha 0 (7 innings)

  • Both teams went three up three down in the first inning with good pitching performances.
  • However, Rockford picked up where it left off with a five-run second inning. Justin Hallberg continued his hot streak with a single to center-field to score Peyton McCray and Phil Hyland. Tyler Peake singled to left-field to score Bradey Franks. Hunter Fiorito tripled to left-field scoring Tyler Peake, followed by a double down the left-field line by TJ Jones to score Hunter Fiorito.
  • Rockford increased its lead to 7-0 in the bottom of the third by scoring two runs. Zach Rydell singled through the left side scoring Peyton McCray and Justin Hallberg scored from a fielder's choice to second base.
  • The Regents put the game out of reach in the fourth inning by scoring seven runs. Phil Hyland started the scoring with a triple down the right-field line to score TJ Jones. Peyton McCray, Zach Rydell, Bradey Franks and TJ Jones all hit singles, and scoring was Phil Hyland, Peyton McCray, Justin Hallberg and Hunter Fiorito. Zach Rydell scored on a fielding error and Troy Tucci scored on a passed ball.
  • Rockford finished off the scoring in the fifth inning with Phil Hyland scoring on a ground out and Justin Hallberg scoring off of Bradey Franks triple to center-field.
  • The Regents were backed by some outstanding pitching with Jared Herzog giving up one hit and no runs on 15 strikeouts and Christian Dahlstrom throwing the last inning, striking out all three batters.
  • Rockford held Maranatha to no runs, taking game two 16-0.

Game 1 Notes:
Justin Hallberg went a career-high 3-3 with 2 doubles and a triple. Hallberg also finished with a career-high 3 RBI's and 2 runs scored.
Zachary Froehlich went 3-3 with 2 runs scored and a stolen base.
Phil Hyland went 2-4 with a double, a triple, 3 RBI's, 3 runs scored and a stolen base.
Troy Tucci went 2-3 with a double, a triple, 2 RBI's, a run scored and a stolen base.
Christian Garcia went 2-3 with a homer, 3 RBI's and a run scored.
Adrian Rapier picked up his first win throwing 5 innings giving up no hits, no runs and striking out 12.

Game 2 Notes:

Phil Hyland went 3-4 with a triple, a double, 3 runs scored and an RBI.
Peyton McCray went 3-3 with 3 runs scored and an RBI.
TJ Jones went 2-3 with a double, 2 RBI's, a run scored and a stolen base.
Bradey Franks went 2-2 with a double, 2 RBI's, a run scored and a stolen base.
Zach Rydell went 2-4 with 3 RBI's and a run scored.
Justin Hallberg went 2-4 with 2 RBI's and 3 runs scored.
Jared Herzog now shares the top spot in the RU record book with 15 strikeouts in 7 innings. Herzog received his first win of the season giving up 1 hit and no runs.