ROSEMONT, Ill. - The Rockford University softball team (14-18, 6-12 NACC) swept the Dominican University Stars (25-9, 12-8 NACC), 7-4 and 6-1, on the road Wednesday afternoon. Rockford got a pair of outstanding pitching performances from seniors
Mariah Martinez and
Rylee Klema. The two combined to allow just one earned run and did not walk a batter over 14 innings of work. Their solid outings inside the circle allowed the RU offense time to battle back and overcome deficits in both games. In the opener, Rockford scored five runs in the seventh to overcome 4-2 deficit. Then in the nightcap, the Regents struck for four in the fifth and two more in the seventh to erase an early Dominican lead. The sweep gives Rockford their third and fourth straight wins over the Stars.
Game 1
- Dominican scored three unearned runs over the first four innings, while also holding the Regents without a hit. The Stars took advantage of two Regent errors in the first inning to grab a quick 1-0 lead. Dominican then added two more unearned runs in the bottom of the fourth, to extend its lead to 3-0.
- Fortunately, Rockford answered right back with two runs of its own in the top of the fifth. Michaela Spanbauer broke up Dominican's perfect game with a leadoff double to center field. Jocelyn Callahan then reached on a bunt and stole second, to put runners on second and third with no one out. A couple of batters later, Breanna Collins drove in Rockford's first run of the game with an RBI groundout. Emily Down followed with an RBI single back up the middle to make it a 3-2 ballgame.
- Although Rockford did not score a run in the sixth, Regent fans were treated to a bit of school history. Elizabeth Thomas led off the inning with a single and then stole second. It was her 21st stolen base of the season, which set a new Rockford University single-season record.
- Dominican was able to get one run back in the bottom of the sixth, by once again taking advantage of two Regent errors, giving the Stars a 4-2 lead heading into the seventh.
- However, this time it was Rockford's chance to capitalize on a Dominican miscue. The Stars made an error early in the inning to extend the game and put runners on first and second with two outs. Michaela Froehlich proceeded to drive in the first run of the inning with an RBI single back up the middle. Elizabeth Thomas then doubled in a run to knot the game at 4-4. A couple of batters later, Candace Kipp walked in a run to give Rockford its first lead of the game. Michaela Spanbauer then added a couple of insurance runs via a two-run single down the left field line.
- Senior pitcher Mariah Martinez then shut down the Stars in the bottom of the seventh and sealed the 7-4 victory.
Game 2
- Rockford fell behind early in game two just like in the opener.
- The Stars scored a single run in the bottom of the second to take a quick lead. Dominican had a pair of hits in the frame, including a two-out RBI single to grab a 1-0 advantage.
- However, from that moment on, the game belonged to the Regents. RU pitcher Rylee Klema allowed just two hits and held the Stars scoreless over the final five innings.
- The RU offense then broke through with a four-run fifth inning. Rockford loaded the bases with three straight walks to start the frame, and then Candace Kipp ripped an RBI single to center to tie the game at 1-1. The Regents then drew two more walks to take a 3-1 advantage. Isabella Intravaia drove in the final run in the inning on a ground ball to short, as Rockford took a three-run lead into the sixth.
- Rockford would put the game out of reach with two more runs in the top of the seventh. The Regents had no hits in the inning, but drew two walks, capitalized on a Dominican error and a wild pitch en route to a 6-1 win and a sweep of the regular season series.
Game 1
- Mariah Martinez went the distance inside the circle to pick up the win and improve her record to 9-9 this year. Martinez allowed no earned runs over her seven innings of work and struck out a batter while walking none.
- Michaela Spanbauer finished 2-for-4 with a double, 2 RBIs and a run scored.
- Elizabeth Thomas was 2-for-4 a double, an RBI and a run scored. Thomas also stole a base to give her 21 stolen bases this year and set a new RU single-season record.
- Emily Down went 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored.
- Michaela Froehlich had a pinch-hit RBI single.
Game 2
