ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University softball team completed its opening weekend of NACC play on Monday against the preseason favorite Aurora University Spartans. Rockford has struggled against Aurora since joining the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference defeating the Spartans just once. However, the Regents played extremely well against Aurora on Monday and even had the Spartans on the ropes in game one.

Rockford was in control nearly the entire opening game of the doubleheader before the Spartans cashed in late. After falling behind 1-0 early, the Regents used a 3-run third inning to take the lead. Freshman Mercedes Boykin (Belvidere, Ill./North) got the inning off on the right foot by drawing a leadoff walk. The Regents then loaded the bases with 2 outs after a Spartan error and a hit batsman which brought the hot hitting Jessica Bjerning (Wauconda, Ill./Mundelein) to the plate. This time Bjerning showed patience by drawing an RBI walk to tie the game at 1-1. One batter later, freshman Ali Moore (Mascoutah, Ill./Mascoutah) delivered the big hit lacing a 2-run single into center field to put her team up 3-1. The score would remain 3-1 until the bottom of the sixth when Aurora cut into Rockford's lead to make it a one-run game heading into the seventh and final frame. Rockford did add an insurance run in the top of the inning by taking advantage of another Aurora error to extend its lead to 4-2. However, the Spartans rallied in the bottom half of the inning cashing in on a Rockford error to tie the game and then winning the game 5-4 one batter later courtesy of a walk-off single.

Sophomore Brittany Bura (Chicago, Ill./Trinity) pitched perhaps her best game of the season Monday afternoon against a top-tier NACC opponent. Bura surrendered just one earned run over her 6.2 innings of work. The sophomore also struck out five batters while walking only one.

Following the heartbreaking loss in game one, the Regents returned to the field looking for a split of the doubleheader in the second game. However, the game got off to a rough start as the Spartans jumped out to a 7-0 lead after scoring a pair of runs in each of the first two innings and three runs in the third inning. Despite digging themselves into a hole, Rockford answered right back in the top of the fourth inning with four runs of its own. Jessica Bjerning was once again was right at the center of the Rockford offensive attack starting the inning off by ripping a double down the left field line. She then advanced to third on a bunt and scored on an Aurora error. Ali Moore followed with a hit of her own to place runners on first and third with just one out. After Rockford scored its second run of the inning thanks to another Spartan error, Sarah Moritz (Heyworth, Ill./Heyworth) delivered the big hit driving in a pair of runs with a two-out single to center field. However, that was the end of Rockford's rally as the Regents never really threatened the remainder of the game and dropped game two by a 7-4 final. 

The Rockford University softball team returns to the diamond on April 2nd at home against Mount Mary University. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. at the Smith Athletic Field on the campus of Rockford University.