LOVES PARK, Ill. - The Rockford University softball team (11-13, 3-9 NACC) picked up a pair of NACC wins against Wisconsin Lutheran College (8-14, 1-9 NACC) on Friday afternoon. Wisconsin Lutheran started with the lead in both games but was overcome by a strong response from the Rockford offense. One of the main highlights came from
Emily Cox in the nightcap, when she hit a monster 3-run home run to take the lead in the game and break the school record for home runs in a career (15). Cox finished four-for-seven with five RBI's and a home run between the two contests.
Game 1
- Wisconsin Lutheran wasted no time getting on the board when a three-run homer put them up early 3-0.
- Rockford responded in the bottom of the first, loading the bases. Michaela Spanbauer hit a single up the middle and scored a pair of runs to pull the score to 3-2. The Regents then tied the game with a bases-loaded walk. Olivia Swanson hit a single to score two more runs and take the lead 5-3. Emily Down and Emily Cox each singled before the inning ended, scoring two additional runs to make it 7-3 Rockford.
- The Warriors got back into the game with a pair of runs in the top of the second to make the score 7-5. WLC then took the lead in the third with a four-run inning to make the score 9-7 in the Warrior's favor.
- Isabella Intravaia answered the call for the Regents with a two-run double to bring the score even at nine each. She later secured another RBI in the fifth to give Rockford the lead at 10-9.
- The Regents got a pair of insurance runs before the inning ended thanks to Jocelyn Callahan hitting a ground-rule double that scored two runs and make the score 12-9.
- WLC scored one run in the bottom of the seventh, but RU got the final out before the Warriors could come back. Rockford won the opener 12-10.
Game 2
- Wisconsin Lutheran capitalized in the first inning again with a ground-rule double to score the opening run, making it an early 1-0 game.
- Rockford could not get the offense going, being shutout for the first two innings, still trailing 1-0.
- RU finally got on the board in the third inning. Emily Down hit a single and Elizabeth Thomas reached on an error to put a pair of runners on base. Emily Cox came up to the plate and sent a massive home run over the right field fence to give Rockford the lead. The home run secured her spot in the school record book as the career record holder for home runs at 15. Rockford was in the lead 3-1.
- Wisconsin Lutheran took a run back in the fourth inning with a double that scored a runner from second, making it 3-2.
- The Regents scored again in the bottom of the fifth when a bases-loaded walk scored Audrey Mendenhall to make it 4-2.
- WLC did not give up however, when a sacrifice fly scored a run to make it 4-3.
- RU put the game away in the bottom of the sixth. Emily Cox hit a single that scored Lauren Zielinski, and an error then scored Elizabeth Thomas to give the Regents a 6-3 lead. Emily Cox then scored on a single by Isabella Intravaia, creating a 7-3 cushion.
- WLC managed one run again in the seventh, but could not come back, completing the sweep by a final score of 7-4.
Game 1
Game 2
- Emily Cox finished 2-for-3 with 4 RBI's and 2 runs. Cox also hit a 3-run home run that secured the school record for career home runs with 15.
- Elizabeth Thomas finished 2-for-3 with 2 runs.
- Isabella Intravaia went 1-for-2 with 2 RBI's and 2 walks.
- Emily Down was 2-for-3 with a run.
