ROCKFORD, Ill.- The Rockford University softball team returned to action Saturday to take on Dominican University in a Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference matchup. Rockford was seeking their first victory in conference this season and played quite well the first game of the doubleheader against the high-powered Dominican lineup, who entered the game hitting over .300 as a team. Ultimately the Regents were unable to pick up their first victory falling by the finals of 7-3 and 10-0.
On the bump for game one was Stefaney Kenworthy (Veedersburg, Ind.) who threw a complete game of 7 innings allowing 7 runs, 6 earned, and recorded one strikeout. Kenworthy really threw well besides one inning where the Stars totaled 4 runs, which was the difference in the game. The complete game was her team-leading seventh of the season.
Offensively, Rockford was held without a hit until the bottom of the fifth inning when Caitlin Eiben (Racine, Wis.) led the team off with an infield single. After a strikeout Kenworthy came to the plate and laced a single into left field to give the Regents their first scoring opportunity. After a Lynn Blakeley-Snyder (Winnebago, Ill.) walk Abigail Wellwood (Rockford, Ill.) hit an RBI fielder's choice to the shortstop, who threw the ball away to allow both Eiben and Kenworthy to score and narrow the deficit to five runs, 7-2. Rockford's final scoring opportunity came in the bottom of the seventh inning when Lynn Blakeley-Snyder crushed a double to right-center field to lead off the inning. After a flyout, Lisa Blakeley-Snyder (Winnebago, Ill.) hit a single up the middle to move Lynn Blakeley-Snyder to third. Following that, Lisa Blakeley-Snyder stole second base allowing Lynn Blakeley-Snyder to score on the throw to cut the deficit to four runs, 7-3. Unfortunately, the Regents could not scratch across another run falling by the final of 7-3.
In game two Brittany Bura (Chicago, Ill.) started the game on the bump for Rockford. Unfortunately, Bura struggled and gave way to Wellwood who threw 2 2/3 innings allowing 1 run, 0 earned, on 3 hits. Wellwood came in and threw very well and held Dominican in check by not allowing them to extend on their lead.
Offensively, Rockford was unable to string hits together and could not scratch across any runs as their only hits in the game came from Eiben and Alex Storey (Dexter, Mich.). Ultimately, the Regents fell by the final of 10-0 in five innings.
Playing well offensively for Rockford were Lynn Blakeley-Snyder who was 1-for-3 on the day including two walks, a run scored, and reached base in all three plate appearances in the first game. Storey recorded multiple hits on the day finishing 2-for-6. Lisa Blakeley-Snyder collected one hit, was hit by two pitches and had one stolen base. Eiben went 2-for-4 on the day with a run scored.
The Rockford University softball team returns to action Sunday, April 17 to take on Concordia University Chicago in River Forest, Ill. with a scheduled start time of 12 p.m.
