ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Regents softball team concluded a four day stretch of six games on Sunday with a home doubleheader against the Lawrence University Vikings. Rockford has been struggling to score runs so far this year and hoped to turn that trend around after being shutout by Aurora in both games on Saturday. However it was not meant to be as Lawrence shutout Rockford in both games of the doubleheader 5-0 and 3-0.
In the first game of the doubleheader, Rockford managed just five hits but did have ample opportunities to score runs. The offense was led by sophomore catcher Jessica Segalla (Loves Park, Ill./Harlem) who was 2-3 at the plate with a double. Twice in the first three innings Segalla got herself into scoring position but the Regents were unable to drive her in going 0-3 with runners in scoring position. However, the Regents had perhaps its best scoring opportunity in the 7th when Jennifer Zulkanycz (Norco, Calif./Norco) led of the inning with a stand-up double. Once again the Regents were unable to score a run and dropped game one 5-0.
Rockford pitcher Brittany Bura (Chicago, Ill./Trinity) threw a complete game in the opener. Bura gave up 5 runs while striking out 1 batter over her seven innings on the mound.
Game two had a very similar feel for the Regents as runs were once again going to be at a premium. Rockford pitcher Sarah Moritz (Heyworth, Ill./Heyworth) put together another solid performance as she held done the Viking offense for most of the day. Moritz kept the Vikings scoreless through the first four innings and then got out of a jam in the fifth by surrendering just one run. The Regents then appeared as though they may finally be able to get on the scoreboard as the ladies placed runners on second and third with just one out. However, once again the clutch hit eluded Rockford as Lawrence got the next two batters out to retain the 1-0 lead. Following a scoreless sixth inning, Lawrence scored two more runs in the top of the seventh making it a 3-0 game. Jessica Bjerning (Wauconda, Ill./Mundelein) did her best to jumpstart the offense in the bottom seventh as she laced a one-out double into left field. Unfortunately Rockford was again unable to score Bjerning and fell in game two by a final of 3-0.
The softball team returns to the diamond on April 10th for a home doubleheader against Mt. Mary College. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
