Clarke faces Rockford looking to move up in conference

Clarke College opens the final weekend of the regular season at home this afternoon against Rockford. At 8-7, the Crusaders are part of a log jam involving three teams in third place in the Northern Illinois-Iowa Conference standings. Rockford is second in the league race and leads the conference in several offensive categories. Clarke coach Eric Frese says Rockford has given up a lot of runs as they’ve struggled with their pitching and defense.The teams play a doubleheader tomorrow in Rockford.