BELOIT, Wis. - The Rockford University softball team dropped a pair of games on the road Saturday afternoon against the Beloit College Buccaneers. The Regents fell 9-0 in opener and then dropped game two by a 4-1 final.
Game one got off to a rough start as Rockford was unable to take advantage of an early scoring opportunity and then surrendered nine runs in the first three innings. The Regents loaded the bases in the top of the first inning with just one out courtesy of an Alexandra Storey (Dexter Mich.) infield single and a couple of Beloit errors. However, Rockford failed to score as the Buccaneers induced a groundout to the pitcher and a lineout to first base. Beloit wasted little time taking the lead in the bottom half of inning as the leadoff batter hit a home run over the center field fence. The Bucs then added an unearned run the bottom of the second and seven runs in the third en route to the 9-0 win.
Rockford played much better in the second game of the afternoon as the Regents were able to grab an early lead. Sophomore Ali Moore (Mascoutah, Ill.) nearly manufactured the first run of the game all by herself. Moore ripped a one-out single through the left side of the infield giving her team a base runner in the top of the first inning. The sophomore then advanced to second and third base on a pair of wild pitches to put herself in scoring position. Two batters later, Brittany Bura (Chicago, Ill.) came through with an RBI single into right field giving Rockford a quick 1-0 advantage.
The Regents had additional scoring opportunities in both the second and fifth inning but unfortunately were unable to capitalize on them. In the second inning, Lisa Blakeley-Snyder (Winnebago, Ill.) and Stefaney Kenworthy (Veedersburg, Ind.) strung together back-to-back two-out singles to put runners on first and second. However, Beloit was able to induce a groundout to end the inning and the scoring threat. The fifth inning had a similar feel as Rockford again had runners on first and second this time with only one out after a Buccaneer error and single by Alexandra Storey. The Regents would move the runners to second and third with two outs but could not push across any runs as Beloit once again wiggled out of the jam.
With Rockford unable to score any additional runs, Beloit was able to take advantage of its scoring opportunities to tie the game and eventually grab the lead. The Buccaneers made it a 1-1 game in the bottom of the second on a sacrifice fly before taking the lead on a 2-run double in the bottom of the fourth inning. Beloit then added an insurance run in the sixth as the Bucs sailed to the 4-1 victory.
Senior pitcher Sarah Moritz (Heyworth, Ill.) pitched well despite being unable to pick up the win. Moritz tossed her second complete game of the season surrendering just 3 earned runs on 7 hits. The senior was consistently around the plate with her pitches as she recording 3 strikeouts and no walks.
The softball team returns to action next Saturday, March 28 for its home opener against NACC rival Aurora University. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 12:00 p.m. at the Smith Athletic Field on the campus of Rockford University.
