ROCKFORD, Ill. --- Behind the big bat of
Brody Mariotti, the Concordia University Chicago baseball team was able to pick up a split with the Rockford University Regents on Sunday afternoon. The Cougars led early in game one, but a pair of crooked numbers for Rockford in the sixth and seventh innings proved to be problematic, as CUC fell 12-5. The Cougars then rebounded in a big way in game two, scoring seven runs in the first two innings before cruising to the 16-5 win for the split. Mariotti etched his name into the record books on Sunday, hitting two homers, giving him 35 for his career which is a new CUC and NACC record.
GAME ONE
After Rockford plated a run in the bottom of the first, CUC answered in the top of the second. With one out and a runner on
Caleb Anderson and
Aidan Donovan ripped singles to load the bases. A wild pitch brought the first run of the inning home, then a sac fly by
Howie Hatton made it 2-1 CUC.
Rockford responded right back with three runs on four hits in the bottom of the second to reclaim the lead at 4-2. CUC fought back in the top of the sixth. With two outs and Donovan on second
Elijah Hickman lifted a homer to right-center, tying the game at four. The homer was the second of the season for Hickman.
Unfortunately for CUC, Rockford was able to punch back in the sixth and seventh innings, plating eight runs over the two frames to pull away with the 12-5 victory.
GAME TWO
Concordia came out swinging to open game two. Hickman led off the game with a single through the left side. He then stole second and third, and then came into score on a throwing error by the Rockford catcher. CUC continued to add on in the inning when
Kevin Garcia doubled to left field, scoring
Garry Maynard who had doubled earlier, and Mariotti who was hit by a pitch.
CUC extended their lead to 7-0 in the top of the second. With one out Hickman roped his second single of the contest into center. After a walk Maynard singled to left, scoring Hickman. Mariotti then provided the fireworks with a three-run homer to right field, extending the lead to 7-0.
Rockford tried to fight back into the contest, scoring once in the second two in the third, and two in the fourth to pull within 7-5.
Concordia blew things wide open when they batted through the order in the fifth.
Christian Jacob started the inning off with a single through the left side. Two errors followed loading the bases with one out. Hickman then produced his third hit of the contest with a single to center, scoring two. After a pitching change, a double steal extended the CUC lead to 10-5. CUC plated three more in the inning when Garcia doubled down the left-field line with the bases loaded.
The Cougars added on two more in the top of the sixth on four walks and a sac fly. In the top of the seventh Mariotti launched his record-setting home run. He lifted the ball over the fence in right-center for the 35
th homer of his career, which sets a new record for Concordia and the NACC.
Zach Litke got the start for CUC, working three-plus innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits.
Cole Carman picked up the win by working two and two-thirds innings of shutout ball.
Mike Tobin also appeared in the contest, striking out the side in the seventh.
The Cougars will return to River Forest on Thursday afternoon for the final home series of the 2022 season. CUC will welcome Marian University for a 1:00pm first pitch. Links to coverage can be found at cucougars.com/coverage.
