NAC Tournament Game 2 - Box Score

LOVES PARK, Ill. – The Northern Athletics Conference baseball tournament provided its second lopsided game in a row after third-seeded Aurora clobbered the No. 3 seed and hometown Rockford 14-1 in seven innings at Road Ranger Stadium. The Spartans scored at least a run in every inning except the first and pitcher Chris Koudelka went the distance, allowing only three hits while striking out seven batters to earn his sixth victory of the season against one loss.

Rockford (26-13) got on the scoreboard first after Chris Dascher led off the opening frame with a single and eventually circled around to score on a Rob Wiest’s sacrifice fly to center field. The Regent offense would go silent after that, advancing only one runner into scoring position and going hitless until the seventh inning.

Meanwhile, Aurora (28-11) had no problem against Rockford starter Tyler Clay. The Spartans got a run in the second, two in the third, and four runs in the fourth to take a commanding 7-1 lead. Clay lasted just 3.1 innings, allowing seven runs (6 earned) on nine hits before giving way to Jeff Jacobson who wouldn’t fair too well either.

 

The Spartans scored another run in the fifth, three in the sixth and three more in the seventh to cap off the scoring barrage. Designated hitter Dave Warner went 3-for-4 at the plate with four runs scored, two RBI and a walk. He drove in both runs on a double off the base of the center field wall in the fourth inning.

Aurora will move on to face top-seeded Concordia University Chicago at 4:00 p.m. on Friday at Road Ranger Stadium. Rockford falls to the losers bracket and will take on Benedictine in an elimination game at 7:30 p.m.