MEQUON, Wis. - The Rockford University softball team (4-34, 0-22 NACC) concluded the NACC portion of its schedule on Saturday with a pair of road games against the Concordia University Wisconsin Falcons (19-15, 9-9 NACC). It was a tough day for the Regent offense, as Rockford scored just one run in the two games combined. However the Regents played very well in the opener, falling 4-0 to CUW, before dropping game two by a final score of 11-1.
All of the scoring in game one came in the second inning. With the game still scoreless and runners on second and third with two outs, CUW scored a trio of runs off a single and a three-base error to jump in front 3-0. One batter later, CUW hit a solo home run to take a 4-0 lead after two innings of play.
Unfortunately that was more than enough run support for CUW pitcher Molly O'Connell. O'Connell surrendered just three hits and did not allow a Regent to reach second base as the Falcons took the opener 4-0.
Rockford University senior pitcher Abigail Wellwood (Rockford, Ill.) threw extremely well in game one for Rockford. Wellwood allowed just four runs and scattered eight hits, while striking out two.
Game two was much higher scoring as the two teams combined for twelve runs. The Falcons got on the board first, with four runs off four hits to take a quick 4-0 lead after one inning of play. However, Rockford was able answer with a single run of its own in the top of the second. Allison Kaiser (South Elgin, Ill.), Sammi Russell (Winnebago, Ill.) and Abigail Wellwood (Rockford, Ill.) began the inning with back-to-back-to-back singles, with Wellwood driving in Kaiser to make it a 4-1 game. Junior Shannon LeGath (Sturtevant, Wis.) then drew a walk to keep the Rockford rally going, and load the bases with no one out. However, the Falcons were able to wiggle out of the jam with a double play and a strikeout to maintain their 4-1 lead heading into the bottom of the second. Unfortunately Concordia began to take control of the game from that moment on, scoring three runs in the second and four runs in the third en route to the 11-1 win.
The Regents had five players record at least one hit in the nightcap of the doubleheader. Allison Kaiser led the way for the Regents going a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate with a run scored. Abigail Wellwood finished 1-for-2 with an RBI. Sammi Russell and Linzy Keller (Rockford, Ill.) both also went 1-for-2 in the game. Gretchen Schrubbe (Elgin, Ill.) finished 1-for-3 with a double.
The RU softball team concludes its season on Friday, May 4 at home against Mount Mary. First pitch is set for 3 PM at the Smith Athletic Field.
