ROCKFORD, Ill. The Rockford University softball team (2-2) split Saturday afternoon's doubleheader with the Marian University Sabres (5-3). The Regents had a rocky start to Saturday's doubleheader, dropping the first game to the Sabres 17-5. However, Rockford came roaring back in the second game securing a commanding 14-6 win over Marian in six innings for Rockford's first win against Marian since 2014.
Game 1: Marian 17 Rockford 5
- Both teams were quiet in the first two innings with good pitching and solid defense.
- The Sabres struck first in the top of the third inning by hitting two homers, scoring three runs and scoring on an error made by the Regents for Marian to be up 4-0.
- With the Regents turn to bat in the bottom of the third inning, Emily Cox hit a big triple to right-center to score Annaka Bartz.
- After both teams went three up three down in the fourth inning Marian added to its lead in the top of the fifth inning. The Sabres scored five runs on a single to right field, double to right field and an error committed by the Regents second-baseman.
- Rockford did not go down without a fight, answering with four runs of its own in the bottom of the fifth inning. Rockford's first three runs of the inning were scored on errors committed by Marian. With two outs, Michaela Spanbauer singled through the left side to score Mikayla Seay for the final run of the fifth inning.
- Unfortunately, Marian held Rockford scoreless through the last two innings while scoring eight more runs to win game one, 17-5.
Game 2: Rockford 14 Marian 6 (6 innings)
- Marian came out hot, scoring five runs in its first at-bats. The Sabres took advantage of a walk scoring a run, while also scoring on two singles and a double.
- Rockford showed tremendous effort by out-scoring the Sabres in the bottom of the first inning, scoring six runs. The Regents started with two walks and a single to load the bases. Gretchen Schrubbe came up and singled to the left side driving in Annaka Bartz. The next batter up Breanna Collins roped a double to left-center, driving in Mikayla Seay and Emily Cox. Paige Korsan reached base on an error by the left fielder allowing Breanna Collins and Gretchen Schrubbe to score. Elaine Zimmerman with the sacrifice bunt to score Paige Korsan and complete the dominant first inning.
- The Regents shut down the Sabres with a one-two-three top of the second and scored two more runs in the bottom of the second from a single up the middle to score Emily Cox and Annaka Bartz.
- With Rockford now leading 8-5, the Regents had another shut-down third inning recording an unassisted double play by Annaka Bartz. The Regents continued to control the game, scoring four runs to increase the lead even more over the Sabres, 12-5
- The Regents tacked on a run in the bottom of the fourth inning when Annaka Bartz scored on an error by the left fielder.
- Marian was able to string together a couple of hits in the fifth inning to score a run on a single to right field.
- But the Regents were too much for the Sabres as Jocelyn Callahan blasted a triple to right-center to lead off the sixth inning and Annaka Bartz smacked a single into center field to score Jocelyn Callahan and take the 14-6 run-rule win in six innings.
Game 1:
Game 2:
- Annaka Bartz had an impressive performance with a season-high 3 hits. Bartz also recorded a triple, 2 RBI's and 4 runs scored.
- Gretchen Schrubbe also had a season-high 3 hits with 3 RBI's and a run scored.
- Emily Cox went 2-3 with an RBI and 3 runs scored.
- Jocelyn Callahan recorded a season-high 2 hits and her first RU career triple. Callahan also scored 2 runs.
- Breanna Collins went 2-4 with a double. Collins also had a season-high and team-leading 4 RBI's and a run scored.
- Mikayla Seay pitched 6 innings receiving the win. Seay struck out 3 and walked 2 batters.
The RU softball team returns to the diamond for a doubleheader on Tuesday, March 23 at Eureka College. First pitch is scheduled for 12 PM.
