FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Rockford University softball team dropped its second game of the day on Sunday falling 8-2 to Swarthmore College. The Regents played much better in the nightcap, but ultimately were unable to overcome a slow start. Swarthmore scored a trio of runs in each of the first two innings which turned out to be the difference in the game. Rockford was however able to answer in the top of the third with a pair of runs to pull back within four at 6-2. Unfortunately it was not meant to be as Swarthmore scored single runs in the bottom of the third and fourth innings en route to an 8-2 victory.
The Regents were able to get at least one runner on base in five of the seven innings but could only capitalize in the third inning. Sophomore Shannon LeGath (Sturtevant, Wis.) drew a walk to start the inning as the Regents got their leadoff hitter on base for the second straight frame. Lisa Blakeley-Snyder (Winnebago, Ill.) followed with a single into center field to keep the rally going and give Rockford runners on the corners with no one out. Lynn Blakeley-Snyder (Winnebago, Ill.) then joined the hit parade one batter later as she singled through the right side of the infield to score LeGath and put runners on first and second with still no one out. Two batters later, Brittany Bihun (Schaumburg, Ill.) drove in her first collegiate run with an RBI groundout as Rockford made it a 6-2 game. However the Regents were unable to get any closer and ultimately fell by an 8-2 final.
Offensively Rockford was led by Lisa Blakeley-Snyder who had the Regents' first multi-hit game of the season on Sunday as she went 2-for-4 with a run scored. Brittany Bihun finished 1-for-3 with an RBI, while Abigail Wellwood (Rockford, Ill.) went 1-for-2 with a walk.
Sophomore pitcher Brooke Burris (Galatia, Ill.) gave Rockford four solid innings inside the circle. Burris allowed just 2 runs over her four innings of work, while striking out one and walking none.
The RU softball team returns to action on Monday, March 6 in Naples, Florida. The Regents open with Bridgewater State University at 1 PM before wrapping up their day at 3 PM against Clark University.
