TUCSON, Ariz. - The Rockford University softball team (1-9) did not end its trip to Tucson as it had hoped. On Saturday RU fell to the SUNY Oneonta Red Dragons (4-5) 18-0 before dropping its contest against the Macalester College Scots (4-3) 10-1.
In game one Rockford was not able to put much together offensively as Oneonta shut RU out during the game. On the other hand the Red Dragons got it going early with their bats scoring tens runs in the bottom of the first, while proceeding to score four in the second and two more in each the third and fourth inning.
Rockford had its chances to scratch the surface and get runs on the board early as the Regents stranded two runners in the top of the first inning. With one out on the board Allison Kaiser (South Elgin, Ill.) got things started as she hit a single into left field. One batter later, Sammi Russell (Winnebago, Ill.) drew a walk giving the Regents two on with two outs. Unfortunately, that was as close as Rockford would get in the early half of the game.
The next chance RU had came in the top of the fourth as Brittany Bihun (Schaumburg, Ill.) drew a walk to start off the inning. Thanks to a wild pitch Bihun found herself at second with no outs for the Regents. A few batters later Abigail Wellwood (Rockford, Ill.) hit a blooper in the infield which was enough as she got safe at first and moved Bihun to third. Next up, Shannon LeGath (Sturtevant, Wis.) drew a walk for Rockford loading the bases with two outs. However, that would be as close as Rockford got as it remained shutout falling 18-0.
Abigail Wellwood and Linzy Keller (Rockford, Ill.) each went 1-for-2 in the game.
In game two the Regents started out much better as it remained 0-0 until the bottom of the second inning. The Scots would record three runs in the bottom of the frame to put them ahead 3-0 early.
Rockford started to chip away at the Macalester lead as it got one run back in the top of the third. Gretchen Schrubbe (Elgin, Ill.) started it off lacing one back up the middle to give RU one on with one out. On the next play, Kaiser would help advance Schrubbe to second as she grounded out. Brittany Bihun stepped to the plate and drilled a ball to left field that was good enough to score Schrubbe and place herself on first with two outs.
Unfortunately, that is as much as Rockford would get back as Macalester responded with seven runs in the bottom of the fourth going on to win the game 10-1.
Gretchen Schrubbe put together a nice game at the plate as she went 3-for-3. Brittany Bihun went 2-for-3 with an RBI in the game while Shannon LeGath went 1-for-1. Despite allowing ten runs Sammi Russell did well on the mound as only one of those runs were earned.
The Rockford University softball team returns to action on Wednesday, March 21 when it hosts Beloit for a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 PM.
