Game 2 Box Score
LOVES PARK, Ill. – Game two of the Northern Athletics Conference Baseball Tournament pitted No. 2 seed Rockford College against third seed Concordia University Wisconsin, who was making their first NAC Tournament appearance. The Falcons jumped out to a 4-0 lead over the Regents but could not hold it as they fell 8-5.
After three quick innings, Concordia Wisconsin (22-17) tallied two runs in each of the fourth and fifth innings. Matt Mayer got hit by a pitch to lead off the fourth inning and Ryan Schilter doubled to right center to put runners on second and third with nobody out. The next batter, Adam Martz ripped another double to score two runs and give the Falcons the lead. In the fifth, Mayer recorded a run scoring single and Schilter then gave Concordia Wisconsin a 4-0 lead with a groundout.
However, Rockford’s offense came alive in the fifth inning. Jordan Shaver started the inning with a one-out single and Jimmy Polster followed with a bunt single. Kyle Standridge then drove in Shaver with a single up the middle to extend his hitting streak to 40-games. The next batter, Eric Nicholson dealt the big blow as he ripped his seventh home run of the season over the right center field fence to tie the game at four apiece.
The Regents (27-12-1) took their first lead of the game in the sixth inning with two unearned runs. Shaver drove in a run with a sacrifice bunt and reached first on a fielding error by the pitcher and Tyler Clay drove in the other run with a bases loaded walk to make the score 6-4.
In the seventh inning, the Falcons cut the deficit in half with a run. Schilter drove in the run with a single up the middle to make the score 6-5.
However, the Regents tacked on a couple insurance runs in the eighth inning as it again was Nicholson who recorded the big hit. Polster walked and Standridge singled to start the inning before being advanced with a sacrifice bunt. Nicholson then crushed a double to left field to make the score 8-5 which is the way the game would end.
Nicholson led the way for Rockford as he went 2-for-5 with five runs batted in and one run scored. Seven Rockford starters recorded a hit in the contest and four tallied two hits. Kevin Patterson got the start on the hill for the Regents and went six and two-thirds innings. He struck out seven and walked one as he moved to 8-2 on the season. Ben Korth relieved him and went the final two and one-third innings, struck out two and earned his third save of the year.
For Concordia Wisconsin it was Austin Sarauer and Schilter that led the way offensively. Sarauer went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and Schilter went 2-for-5 with two runs batted in and one run scored. Derrick Pankow started the game on the mound for the Falcons and lasted seven innings. He gave up six runs, only four earned while striking out seven and walking five in the contest. Matt Parrent threw the final inning for the Falcons.
Rockford will play Aurora University this afternoon in the winner’s bracket while Concordia Wisconsin will take on Edgewood College later tonight in an elimination game. First pitch for the Rockford-Aurora game is scheduled for 4:45 p.m. and Concordia Wisconsin is scheduled to play Edgewood College at 7:30 p.m. tonight.
