ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford College Regents softball team hosted the Maranatha Baptist Bible College Crusaders in a Northern Athletic Conference doubleheader Friday afternoon at the Ernst E. Smith Athletic Fields. The Regents were looking to continue their success against Maranatha as they are 11-1 over the Crusaders since the forming of the NAC back in 2007.
Rockford got things going early in game one when sophomore Heidi Dockstader (Yorkville, Ill./Yorkville) singled up the middle to give the Regents an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Senior Nicole Lawler (Pearl City, Ill./Pearl City) followed that up with a single through the left side before freshman Brittany Bura (Chicago, Ill./Trinity) singled to center giving the Regents a 2-0 lead.
Rockford added four more runs in the bottom of the second inning off five hits and one Crusader error. Brittany Bura connected for her second single and second RBI of the game, capping off the Regents four run second inning. Bura was stellar in the circle for the Regents as she surrendered 2 hits with four strikeouts and retired 11 straight Maranatha hitters to end the game.
The Regents tacked on one run in the fourth and fifth inning securing the 8-0 victory. The Regents pounded out 12 hits in game one without committing an error defensively. Every Regent hitter recorded a hit in the win for Rockford.
Game two featured another stellar pitching performance by Regent sophomore Sarah Moritz (Heyworth, Ill./Heyworth). Mortiz was phenomenal as she allowed 2 hits over five innings while striking out seven and walking none. Moritz retired 11 straight Crusaders at one point.
Rockford broke the game open with a four-run third inning off five hits and one Maranatha error. Moritz ripped a double to center field driving in two Regent base runners to take a 3-0 lead. Senior Alexis Ford (Cortland, Ill./DeKalb) and sophomore Sara Smoode (Spring Valley, Ill./Hail) followed that up with back-to-back singles capping off the four-run inning.
Rockford tacked on one run in the fourth and two runs in the fifth inning cruising to an 8-0 victory. The Regents delivered 10 hits in game two with Moritz going 3-3 with with 2 RBI's.
Rockford has won four of its last five games and is now 13-1 against Maranatha. The Regents will host Edgewood College Saturday, April 27th with the first pitch set for 12:00 PM. It is also senior day for the Regents as Rockford will honor its four seniors between games.
