WATERTOWN, Wis. - The Rockford University softball team earned its first sweep of the season on Tuesday defeating the Maranatha Baptist University Sabercats 15-6 and 9-0. The Regents pounded out 20 hits and 26 runs in the two games combined as Rockford trailed for a total of just a half of an inning. Rockford also earned their first shutout of the year and have now won back-to-back games for the first time this season.
In game one the Regents scored a run in the first inning before using an 8-run third and a 6-run fourth to put the game away. Junior Lisa Blakeley-Snyder (Winnebago, Ill.) opened the game by being hit by a pitch to get the leadoff runner aboard for the Regents. Following a walk and a sacrifice bunt, first baseman Brittany Bura (Chicago, Ill.) drove in her first of nine runs on the day with an RBI single into left field giving Rockford a 1-0 lead. Rockford's lead quickly vanished though as one inning later the Sabercats scored 5 runs off 5 hits to take a 5-1 advantage after 2 innings of play.
Rockford answered right back in the top of the third with 8 runs off 5 hits to retake the lead. Alex Storey (Dexter, Mich.) began the inning by ripping a double down the left field line to put herself into scoring position with no one out. After a walk and a wild pitch put runners on second and third, Brittany Bura singled back up the middle driving in two more runs as Rockford cut the Maranatha lead down to 5-3. A few batters later, the Regents took advantage of a Sabercat error to make it just a one run game. Sophomore Abigail Wellwood (Rockford, Ill.) then put her team on top for good with a 2-run single into left center as Rockford took a 6-5 advantage. Rockford added three more runs in the inning as Alex Storey and Brittany Bura each drove in one with the final run scoring on a wild pitch.
The Regents then essentially put the game away one inning later as Rockford scored 6 runs in the top of the fourth to take a commanding 15-5 lead. Rockford opened the inning with a pair of walks before Mercedes Boykin (Belvidere, Ill.) crushed a 2-run double. Alex Storey followed with her third hit and second RBI of the game. Following a Maranatha error and an RBI fielder's choice, Stefaney Kenworthy (Veedersburg, Ind.) drove in Rockford's final run of the game with an RBI double en route to a decisive 15-6 victory.
Game two of the doubleheader was even more impressive than the first as Rockford played extremely well and completed the series sweep with a 9-0 win. Pitcher Abigail Wellwood was nearly unhittable in the circle as became the first Regent since April 2, 2014 to throw complete game shutout. Wellwood allowed just 4 hits and no runs while striking out 3.
Following a scoreless first two innings, Rockford took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning. Lisa Blakeley-Snyder began the inning with a walk and then advanced to third a couple of batters later off a Caitlin Eiben (Racine, Wis.) single. Brittany Bura then drove in her first run of the second game with sacrifice fly giving her team a 1-0 lead after 3 innings.
Rockford began to put the game away scoring 5 runs in the fourth to jump out to a 6-0 lead. The Regents used back-to-back-to-back two-out run scoring hits to seize control of the game. Caitlin Eiben began the scoring with an RBI single. One batter later Brittany Bura ripped an RBI double down the left field as Rockford now held a 3-0 lead. Stefaney Kenworthy kept the rally alive with an RBI single of her own. The Regents final two runs of the inning came courtesy of a Maranatha error and a wild pitch giving Rockford a 6-0 lead.
The Regents would put the game away in the top of the fifth with three more runs. Rockford's first run came off a Sabercat error. Bura then drove in her eighth and ninth runs of the day with a 2-run double securing the 9-0 win and the sweep.
Senior Brittany Bura had one of the best hitting days in recent memory for any Regent. Bura went 5-for-8 at the plate with 2 doubles, 9 runs batted in and 2 runs scored.
The RU softball team will conclude the home portion of its schedule on Friday, April 29 against Lakeland College. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 3:00 PM.
