FORT MYERS, Fla. - The RU softball team (6-2) concluded its spring trip with a 9-4 win over Western Connecticut State (3-3) and tough hard-fought 3-2 loss to SUNY Brockport. Game one featured a pitchers' duel between
Rylee Klema and Catherine Johnson of SUNY Brockport. Klema threw a complete game and surrendered three runs, only one of which was earned. Unfortunately, the Regent offense stranded nine runners and could only muster a pair of runs, as the Regents dropped a heartbreaker, 3-2. Game two saw the Regents score nine runs off six hits, as Rockford took advantage of seven WestConn errors en route to the 9-4 win.
SUNY Brockport 3 Rockford 2
- SUNY Brockport broke the scoreless tie with a single run off two hits in the bottom of the first. The Golden Eagles strung together a one-out single and an RBI double to plate its one run and grab an early lead.
- The Golden Eagles tacked on a pair of unearned runs in the bottom of the second inning to extend their lead to 3-0. SUNY Brockport capitalized on a Regent error, which extended the inning, and then used an RBI single and a double steal to score its two runs.
- The Regents had chances to cut into the deficit in both the third and fourth innings, but unfortunately, came up empty. In the third, Emily Cox and Breanna Collins reached base via a single and a hit by pitch, to put runners on first and second with one out. In the fourth, it was a Candace Kipp single and an Isabella Intravaia walk that put runners on first and second with no one out. However, the Regents stranded a pair of runners in the third and left the bases loaded in the fourth, as the Golden Eagles clung to their 3-0 advantage.
- RU starting pitcher Rylee Klema did an outstanding job keeping her team in the game after surrendering three runs over the first two innings. Klema allowed just two hits the remainder of the game and at one point retired nine consecutive batters.
- The Regent offense finally broke through with a pair runs in the top of the fifth. Following two quick outs, Michaela Spanbauer got things started with a single to center field. One batter later, Candace Kipp drove in Spanbauer on an RBI double down the left field line. Kipp would then move to third and score on a pair of passed balls, to make it a 3-2 ballgame.
- Unfortunately, Rockford never really threatened the remainder of the game and fell by a final score of 3-2.
Rockford 9 Western Connecticut State 4
- WestConn raced out to a quick 2-0 lead after the top of the first inning. Following two quick outs, WestConn strung together back-to-back doubles and an RBI single to grab a 2-0 advantage.
- Fortunately, Rockford responded with two runs of its own in the bottom of the inning to tie the game at 2-2. Elizabeth Thomas led off the inning with a single, then stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Michaela Spanbauer drove in Rockford's first run on ground ball to third and Jocelyn Callahan proceeded to tie the game on a bunt single.
- The Regents would then take the lead with a three-run second inning. Rockford had just one hit in the inning, but capitalized on four WestConn errors to score its three runs and take a 5-2 advantage.
- Rockford and WestConn would trade runs in the third and fourth innings, as Rockford maintained its three-run lead at 6-3.
- The Regents then saw their lead trimmed to just two runs after WestConn added another single run in the fifth. WestConn used three hits, including a two-out RBI single to make it a 6-4 game.
- Fortunately, Rockford salted the game away with a three-run sixth. Rockford loaded the bases with no one out following an Emily Cox double and a pair of walks. Isabella Intravaia drove in the first run of the inning on a fielder's choice and the Regents added two more runs later in the inning off WestConn's seventh error of the game.
- RU relief pitcher Rylee Klema then held WestConn scoreless in the seventh, to earn her first save of the season.
SUNY Brockport
- Rylee Klema threw her first complete game of the season on Saturday. Klema went 6 innings, allowed just 1 earned run and struck out 5.
- Candace Kipp was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate. She also had a double, scored a run and drove in Rockford's other run.
- Emily Cox finished 1-for-3 to extend her hitting streak to 7 games.
- Michaela Spanbauer went 1-for-4 with a run scored.
Western Connecticut State
