CHICAGO—The Illinois Institute of Technology baseball team hosted Rockford University (DH) at Ed Glancy Field on Saturday, where President Alan W. Cramb threw a ceremonial first pitch prior to the games. The Scarlet Hawks dropped a 4-3 decision in game one, and came through with a 10-1 victory in game two.

The Scarlet Hawks exit Saturday with a 10-6, 5-5 NACC mark while Rockford concluded the two games with a 9-17, 1-7 NACC record.

@illinoistech @ILTechBaseball pic.twitter.com/2jBG2FDJtE

— Illinois Tech Athletics (@ILTechAthletics) April 25, 2021

Rockford 4, Illinois Tech 3

The Regents took a 1-0 first-inning lead before the Scarlet Hawks grabbed a 2-1 advantage in the fourth inning. Brandon Bennitt led off the frame with a walk before he scored on David Navarro's double to knot the game at 1-1. Navarro made it 2-1 when he scored from third base off Samuel Sproule's single.

Rockford added two runs of the their own in the eighth inning, where they regained a 3-2 lead. Connor Blake tied the game in the bottom of the eighth when he led off with a hit by pitch, moved to second on a wild pitch, and advanced to third off Bennitt's sacrifice bunt before Claudio LoBraico came in to pinch run. LoBraico made the score 3-3 when Ted Howell reached on a fielder's choice.

The Regents secured a 4-3 victory with a ninth-inning unearned run.

Austin Richardson started the first 6 2/3 innings on the pitching rubber for the Scarlet Hawks before Roberto Carselle pitched the final 2 1/3. They combined to give up eight hits and four runs (three earned). Richardson finished the contest with nine strikeouts. 

Michael Courtney, Samuel Sproule and Jacob Sorenson each notched two hits for Illinois Tech.

Illinois Tech 10, Rockford 1

Rockford set the tone with a first-inning run before the Scarlet Hawks tallied 10 unanswered runs en route to a 10-1 victory. Illinois Tech starting pitcher Ryan Cantlin held the Regents in check as he allowed just four hits and one run over eight innings of work, which included seven strikeouts. Wyatt Ronek relieved Cantlin in the ninth inning, where he allowed no hits and struck out two batters.

Ted Howell turned in a monster outing in game two, where he went 3-for-5 with four RBI, one home run and two runs scored. Courtney and Bennitt also tallied a home run for the Scarlet Hawks offense. Courtney, Bennitt and Jacob Sorenson each came through with a two-hit game.

Illinois Tech will hit the road to Rockford (DH) tomorrow, Sunday, April 25. First pitch is set for 12:00 p.m.