FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Rockford University softball team (2-0) pulled off another dramatic win on Tuesday with a thrilling 11-10 victory over the RIT Tigers (3-3). The Regents and Tigers combined to score in six of the seven innings, with RIT scoring in every inning except the sixth. Fortunately, it was once again timely hitting and big innings that made the difference for the Regents. Rockford scored four runs in the first, three in the third, two in the fourth and two more in the seventh to win the game.
Olivia Swanson tied the game at ten with an RBI single back up the middle, and then
Breanna Collins drove in the game-winning run on a sacrifice fly. In total, the Regents had 16 hits in the game, giving them 30 hits through two games.
- RIT struck first with a run on one hit and took a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the first inning.
- Rockford would then send eight batters to the plate in its half of the frame and score four runs to grab the lead. After two quick outs to start the inning, the Regents strung together four straight singles, capped off by two-run single from Michaela Spanbauer. One batter later, Candace Kipp crushed a two-run double to left field, to extend the Regents' lead to 4-1 after one inning of play.
- Unfortunately, Rockford's lead was short-lived, as RIT answered with a trio of runs in the top of the second and two more in the top of the third, to retake the lead at 6-4.
- However, the Regents' offense answered right back with three runs of its own in the bottom of the third to jump back in front 7-6. With runners on first and third and one out, Candace Kipp smacked her second double and drove in her third run of the game. Two batters later, Olivia Swanson came through with a clutch two-out, two-run single into center field, to give Rockford a 7-6 lead.
- The back and forth nature of the game continued with RIT tying the game in the top of the fourth and then Rockford retaking the lead in the bottom of the inning. Rockford loaded the bases with no one out off an Emily Cox double, a Breanna Collins single and a Jocelyn Callahan walk. Elizabeth Thomas then gave the Regents a 9-7 advantage with a two-run single into center field.
- Unfortunately, once again Rockford's lead did not last long, as the Tigers tied the game with a pair of unearned runs in the top of the fifth. RIT had just two hits but took advantage of a costly Regent miscue to knot the game at 9-9.
- The score remained unchanged until both teams plated at least one run in the seventh.
- RIT strung together a trio of hits in the top half of the inning to score the go-ahead run and take a 10-9 lead.
- However, as was the case earlier in the day, Rockford would not be deterred. Candace Kipp and Emily Down began the home half of the frame with back-to-back singles, to put runners on the corners with no one out. One batter later, Olivia Swanson laced an RBI single back up the middle to tie the game. Rockford would then load the bases with one out following a sacrifice bunt and a walk. Breanna Collins then stepped up to the plate and promptly ended the game with a walk-off sacrifice fly into left field.
- Candace Kipp again led the offensive attack for Rockford. Kipp went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, 2 runs scored and 3 RBIs.
- Michaela Spanbauer finished 2-for-4 with 2 runs scored and 2 runs driven in.
- Elizabeth Thomas was 2-for-3 with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored.
- Jocelyn Callahan was also 2-for-3 with a run scored.
- Breanna Collins went 2-for-4 with 2 runs scored and an RBI.
- Emily Cox finished 2-for-3 with 2 doubles and a run scored.
- Olivia Swanson went 2-for-4 with 3 runs driven in.
- Mariah Martinez came in and pitched extremely well over the final 2.1 innings. Martinez allowed just one run and picked up her second win of the day.
