FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Rockford University softball team concluded its 2015 spring trip on Friday with a pair of games against Nichols College and Salem State. Rockford's opening game against Nichols did not go well as Regents fell in five innings by a 9-1 final. However, Rockford rebounded nicely in game two playing perhaps its best game this season against a very talented Salem State team, but ultimately fell 10-5 to the Vikings. 

Rockford's early game against Nichols was a struggle as the Regents were only able to muster a single run on four hits. The Regents' lone run came in the third inning when Alexandra Storey (Dexter, Mich.) led off the inning with a walk. Two batter later, junior Brittany Bura (Chicago, Ill.) laced a single into right field placing runners on the corners with just one out. Senior Maranda Walker (Rockford, Ill.) then drove in Storey on a fielder's choice giving the Regents their only run of the game. Unfortunately it was not enough as the Bison went on to win by a 9-1 final.

The Regents played much better in their second game of the day as it was close nearly the entire way. After falling behind 1-0 in the first inning, the Regents tied the game at 1-1 in the third inning. Lynn Blakeley-Snyder (Winnebago, Ill.) and Sarah Rizzo (Monee, Ill.) strung together back-to-back singles giving the Regents runners on the corners with just one out. One batter later, Sarah Moritz (Heyworth, Ill.) tied the game with her first RBI of the day on a groundout to second base.

Rockford would add another single run in the fourth inning to take its first lead of the day. Senior Whittney Weisensel (Rockford, Ill.) began the inning with a single through the left side of the infield for her second hit of the game. Following a pair of fielder's choices, Mercedes Boykin (Belvidere, Ill.) belted a double over the center fielder's head putting the Regents in front 2-1. However, the lead did not last long as Salem State answered back with 3 runs in the bottom half of the inning to retake the lead.

The ladies continued to fight back as they tied the game in the top of the next inning. Freshman Alexandra Storey led off the fifth with a sharp line drive single off the edge of the third baseman's glove. One batter later, Lynn Blakeley-Snyder doubled to deep right field putting two runners in scoring position for the heart of the Rockford lineup. Senior Sarah Moritz would deliver the clutch hit to tie the game as she lifted a 2-run single into right field for her second and third RBIs of the game. 

Salem State however would retake the lead with a home run in the bottom of the fifth, and then essentially put the game away with a 5-run sixth inning. Rockford added one more run in the top of the seventh courtesy of a Maranda Walker sacrifice fly, but it was not enough as the Regents fell by a 10-5 final score.

The softball team will be off for a week before returning to the diamond on Sunday, March 22 at Beloit College. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 1:00 PM.