LOVES PARK, Ill. - The Rockford University softball team (1-1) split with the Elmhurst University Bluejays (2-4) Friday afternoon. The Regents took game one 8-3 with good pitching and some timely at-bats, Emily Cox added fuel for the Regents as she hit a home run and a double recording four RBI's. Unfortunately, Rockford did not take that momentum into the second game, falling 12-2 to Elmhurst in six innings.
Game 1: Rockford 8 Elmhurst 3
- Mikayla Seay set the pace for the Regents to start the first inning as she allowed a base hit and retired the next three batters, striking out the last two.
- The Regents were the first to get on the board after Jessica Kearns reached first base on a fielder's choice to score Gretchen Schrubbe.
- Holding the Bluejays scoreless, Rockford continued its hot-streak into the third inning. Poor defense by the Bluejays allowed Annika Bartz and Emily Cox to reach base safely. Michaela Spanbauer singled to the left side to score Annaka Bartz and take a 2-0 lead. The next at-bat, Breanna Collins hit a single up the middle scoring Mikayla Seay, who reached base after she was hit by a pitch and Emily Cox to put the Regents up 4-0.
- Rockford still held Elmhurst to zero runs after the top of the fourth inning. The Regents continued to add on with Emily Cox roping a double to left-center to score Annaka Bartz and Jocelyn Callahan. Rockford took a commanding 6-0 lead after the bottom of the fourth inning with no signs of stopping.
- However, Elmhurst started to chip away in the top of the sixth inning as it scored two runs from back-to-back doubles. Mikayla Seay was able to regroup and get out of the inning without any more damage.
- With the score now 6-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning, McCathran Andrew was able to draw a walk before Emily Cox stepped to the plate with two outs hitting a massive homer increasing the lead 8-2 over the Bluejays.
- Elmhurst scored a run in the top of the seventh inning but could not come back from the deficit, losing the first game 8-3.
- Mikayla Seay impressed in the circle for the Regents, throwing a complete game with five strikeouts on, a walk and three earned runs.
Game 2: Elmhurst 12 Rockford 2
- The Regents got off to a rough start in the top of the first inning. Elmhurst's first three batters of the game were all able to reach base safely putting pressure on Rockford. With the bases loaded the Bluejays singled through the right side to score two runs. Rockford found itself down 4-0 in the first inning as two more runs came across the plate before the inning had ended.
- Elmhurst shut the Regents down the first two innings, not allowing a batter to reach base.
- The Bluejays increased its lead 5-0 in the top of the third from a double to left-center that scored a run.
- The Regents put up a fight in the bottom of the third inning. Paige Korsan led off the inning for the Regents with a double to left-field. Elaine Zimmerman was able to reach base with a walk. Emily Cox came up to the plate with two outs and hit a shallow fly ball into short center field that was dropped by the shortstop allowing Elaine Zimmerman and Paige Korsan to score.
- Going into the fourth inning things were looking up for the Regents as it was only down by three runs with a lot of game left to play. However, the Bluejays shut the door in the top of the fourth inning by scoring four runs to take a 9-2 lead.
- Elmhurst continued to add on by scoring three runs in the top of the sixth inning and not allowing Rockford to score another run. The Regents dropped game two 12-2 in six innings.
Game 1:
Game 2:
- Paige Korsan went 1-2 with a double and a run scored.
- Elaine Zimmerman recorded a run scored.
The RU softball team returns to the diamond for a doubleheader on Saturday, March 20 at Mercyhealth Sportscore Two. First pitch is scheduled for 12 PM against Marian University.
