RIVER FOREST, Ill. - The Rockford University softball team (15-21, 7-15 NACC) dropped a pair of heartbreakers on the road Sunday afternoon to Concordia University Chicago (15-20, 9-13 NACC). Rockford held a 4-3 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh in the opener, but unfortunately, surrendered a pair of runs and fell by a final score of 5-4. Not all was lost in game one though, as
Emily Cox broke her second school record this season. After breaking the career home run record earlier in the year, Cox drew her 21st walk of the season in the fouth inning and broke the Rockford University single-season walks record. The nightcap went back and forth with both teams leading at multiple points in the game. However, it was the Cougars that scored the final three runs to escape with a 5-3 win.
Game 1
- The Cougars struck first with an unearned run off one hit in the bottom of the first to take a 1-0 lead.
- Fortunately, Rockford answered with a pair of runs in the top of the second to take its first lead of the day. Jocelyn Callahan walked to begin the inning, advanced on a Cougar error and then scored later in the inning to tie the game at 1-1. A few batters later, the Regents took a 2-1 lead off an Elizabeth Thomas RBI single.
- The Regents were able to tack on another run in the top of the third to make it a 3-1 ballgame. Michaela Spanbauer got things started with a one-out double to right field. She would then advance to third on a wild pitch and score on a Cougar error.
- CUC was able to get that run back in the bottom half of the inning on a pair of doubles and pull back within a single run at 3-2.
- Although neither team scored in the fourth, Regent fans were treated to a bit of history. Senior Emily Cox drew her 21st walk this year and broke the Rockford University single-season walks record.
- The score remained unchanged until the sixth, when each team plated a run. Rockford again took advantage of a Cougar error, which allowed the leadoff batter to reach base. Three batters later, Candace Kipp roped a clutch, two-out RBI single into center and gave the Regents a 4-2 lead. Concordia Chicago did answer with an unearned run of its own in the bottom of the inning, to make it just a one-run game heading into the seventh.
- Unfortunately, the Cougars quickly tied the game with a one-out home run from Ashley Shroll. CUC then had a runner reach on an error and score a few batters later when Jessica Geng hit a walk-off RBI single into left center for the 5-4 win.
Game 2
- The Cougars again jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. This time it was a home run from Becky Pieroni that put the Cougars out in front after one inning of play.
- The score remained the same until Rockford struck for two runs in the top of the third to take the lead. Olivia Swanson and Elizabeth Thomas got the two-out rally started with back-to-back singles. One batter later, Emily Cox ripped a two-run double into right center, to put Rockford in front 2-1.
- However, CUC strung together three hits in the bottom half of the inning and tied the game at 2-2.
- The Regents then answered with a single run in the top of the fourth to retake the lead. Breanna Collins and Jocelyn Callahan each doubled in the inning, with Callahan driving in Collins and putting Rockford back out in front 3-2.
- Unfortunately, the back and forth nature of the game continued in the bottom of the fourth. Concordia Chicago tallied four hits in the inning, scoring a pair of runs and retaking the lead at 4-3.
- The Cougars added one more run off three hits in the sixth and took a 5-3 lead into the seventh.
- Things got off to a great start for Rockford in the final inning. Jocelyn Callahan and Olivia Swanson opened the frame with back-to-back singles, to put runners on first and second with no one out. Unfortunately, the Cougars retired the next three batters to end the threat and escape with a 5-3 win.
Game 1
- Michaela Spanbauer finished 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored.
- Emily Cox broke the Rockford University single-season walks record with her 21st walk this year.
- Candace Kipp was 1-for-3 with an RBI.
- Mariah Martinez allowed just 2 earned runs over her 6.2 innings inside the circle. She struck out 2 batters and walked none.
Game 2
