FORT MYERS, Fla. – The Haverford College baseball team continued its spring break trip with a 5-3 loss to the Rockford University Regents on Tuesday afternoon.
Senior Casey Fox gave the Fords' an early 1-0 lead in the first inning with a RBI double. The Regents responded with a two spot in the bottom of the first on a Brian Wiest RBI double and Nick Naber RBI single.
In the sixth inning, sophomore Ben Verducci reached base via an error. Two ground outs advanced him to third and an error allowed him to tie the game for Haverford.
Rockford regained the lead with a two-out RBI single by Bobby Barrera in the seventh inning. The next batter, Josh Cooper, added two insurance runs for the Regents with a two-run single, making the score 5-2.
The Fords inched closer with a run in the eighth inning, but couldn't get any closer. Fox led the Haverford offense with a double and stolen base. Sophomore Stephen Ridings threw the first five innings, allowing just two runs and striking out five. Only one batter reached base against Riddings in his final three innings of work. Freshman Patrick O'Shea struck out two in 1 1/3 scoreless innings.
Adam O'Malley threw a complete game for Rockford, striking out seven and giving up just one earned run.
The Fords will take a day to enjoy the Florida sun before getting back on the diamond on Thursday vs. Augustana (Ill.). First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.