MONTGOMERY, Ill. - The Rockford University softball team (23-17) fell 10-2 Friday afternoon in the NACC South Division Tournament to the top-seeded Aurora University Spartans (35-5). Aurora scored all ten of its runs in just two innings, including a seven-run first. Rockford momentarily took the lead with a run in the top of the first inning, but quickly fell behind after Aurora plated seven runs in the home half of the inning. The Regents were able to add one more run in the third, but it was not enough, as the Spartans tacked on three more runs in the bottom of the inning en route to the win. Rockford will now play Benedictine University in an elimination game at 7 PM tonight. The winner of the game will advance to play Aurora at noon on Saturday for the NACC South Division Tournament Title.
- Rockford scored a run in the top of the first inning to take an early 1-0 lead.
- Annaka Bartz and Emily Cox began the game with a single and a double, to put runners on second and third with no one out. Following two quick outs and an intentional walk to Gretchen Schrubbe, Michaela Spanbauer drew a walk, to force in Bartz, and give Rockford a 1-0 advantage.
- Unfortunately, the Spartans exploded for seven runs off eight hits to take a commanding 7-1 lead after one inning of play.
- The second inning also got off to a good start for Rockford. Emily Down singled and Jessica Kearns walked to put runners on first and second with no one out. Unfortunately, Aurora pitcher Hannah Tomasko retired the next three batters to end the threat.
- Mariah Martinez came in to pitch for the Regents in the bottom of the second, and held the Spartans scoreless, to keep the game within striking distance.
- The Regents were then able to chip away at the deficit in the top of the third.
- Breanna Collins got things started with a one-out walk and then advanced to second on a groundout. One batter later, Jocelyn Callahan drove an RBI single into left, to make it a 7-2 game.
- However, that was as close as the Regents were able to get. Aurora added three runs off two hits and took advantage of a costly Regent error in the bottom of the third, to extend its lead to 10-2.
- The Regents were able to put a runner on second base in both the fourth and fifth innings.
- In the fourth, Annaka Bartz singled and Emily Cox walked to put a runner in scoring position with just one out. Unfortunately, the Spartans were able to retire the next two batters and once again wiggle out of the jam.
- In the fifth, Jocelyn Callahan reached on a two-out infield single and then stole second. Unfortunately, the next batter struck out to end the game, and give Aurora a 10-2 win.
The RU softball team will now play Benedictine University in an elimination game tonight at 7 PM. The winner will advance to the NACC South Division Tournament Championship Game tomorrow at noon against Aurora University.
