FORT MYERS, Fla.- The Rockford University softball team returned to action Thursday to take on Wilmington College and Bridgewater State University looking to secure their first victory of the young season. However, the Regents gave up multiple runs to begin each game and never recovered falling by the finals of 24-2 and 15-1.
In game one Rockford began the game as the visiting team and came out swinging. With one out Alex Storey (Dexter, Mich.) hit a double to the right-center gap to give the Regents an early scoring opportunity. Caitlin Eiben (Racine, Wis.) followed her up with a scorching line-drive into left field for a single. Unfortunately, only Storey could advance one base due to how hard the ball was hit. After a strikeout, Mercedes Boykin (Belvidere, Ill.) drew a walk to load the bases with two outs for Stefaney Kenworthy (Veedersburg, Ind.). Kenworthy hit a fly ball to right field where the fielder made a tremendous diving catch to preserve any runs from scoring. The next scoring opportunity came when Lisa Blakeley-Snyder (Winnebago, Ill.) knocked in her sister Lynn Blakeley-Snyder (Winnebago, Ill.) for an RBI double in the fourth inning. In the fifth inning Eiben hit her second home run of the season to give the Regents their two runs in the game. Kenworthy attempted to start a two-out rally with a triple over the center fielder's head but Rockford was unable to bring her in.
In the bottom half of the first inning Rockford could not get out of the inning as Wilmington tacked on 14 runs and the Regents never recovered from it. Ultimately, Rockford could not keep up with the high-powered offensive attack from Wilmington falling by the final of 24-2.
In game two the Regents began as the home team and gave up six runs in the top of the first inning and again could not recover from their deficit. However, Rockford did put together a scoring opportunity in the final inning of the game when Lisa Blakeley-Snyder again brought her sister Lynn Blakeley-Snyder in with an RBI single. Unfortunately, Rockford was again unable to fight their way back from the early inning deficit falling by the final of 15-1.
Offensively the Regents were led by Lisa Blakeley-Snyder who went 3-for-6 on the day with two RBI's. Storey collected two hits, one of which a double. Eiben went 2-for-5 including her second home run of the season. Lynn Blakeley-Snyder also added two hits on the day and two runs scored.
The Rockford University softball team will conclude their spring trip Friday, March 11 with games against Drew University and Alfred State College with a scheduled start time of 9 and 11 a.m. EST.
