DE PERE, Wis. - The Rockford University softball team split two one-run games on Saturday afternoon at St. Norbert College. The opener featured a pair of outstanding pitching performances from Rockford starter
Mariah Martinez and St. Norbert starter Addison Race. The two combined to surrender just one run, but unfortunately, it was the Green Knights who scored the run and held on for the 1-0 win. The nightcap was another hotly-contested game between the Regents and the Green Knights. This time it was Rockford who took the lead with a pair of runs in the top of the first and then scored the game-winning run in the sixth on an
Alexis Schuldt RBI single for the 3-2 victory.
Game 1
- The opening game of the series was dominated by Rockford University starting pitcher Mariah Martinez and St. Norbert starter Addison Race. The two combined to allow just six hits and one run while striking out nine batters. There were a total of three base runners in scoring position throughout the entire game. The Green Knights had two in the fourth and the Regents had one in the fifth.
- Mariah Martinez sat down eight of the first nine batters and took a one-hitter into the fourth.
- Unfortunately, the Green Knights were able to manufacture a run in the fourth inning. After a leadoff single and a sacrifice bunt, St. Norbert's Karleigh Linssen recorded an RBI double to make it a 1-0 Green Knight lead.
- The Regents did have a chance to get that run right back in the top of the fifth. Michaela Froehlich began the inning with a leadoff single and then was moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. However, St. Norbert retired the next two batters to end the threat and retain its 1-0 lead.
- Rockford had just one base runner and was held without a hit over the final two innings and dropped game one by a final score of 1-0.
Game 2
- Rockford plated a pair of runs in the top of the first to take a quick 2-0 lead. Olivia Lysaght and Emily Down each singled to put runners on second and third with just one out. One batter later, Kariana Williams drove in the game's first run on an RBI single to left. Rockford added one more run off an Enedy Perez RBI groundout to make it a two-run game.
- St. Norbert cut the Regent lead in half with one run off two hits in the bottom of the first.
- Pitching and defense took over for the next three innings. Rockford's Kariana Williams and St. Norbert's Cassie Schultz allowed just three combined hits as Rockford entered the fifth still clinging to a 2-1 advantage.
- However, the Green Knights got a leadoff triple from Allison Ardito, who later scored on a wild pitch and tied the game at 2-2.
- Fortunately, Rockford answered right back in the top of the sixth. Michaela Froehlich began the inning with a leadoff single to center. Lauren Zielinski then reached on a bunt single to put runners on first and second with no one out. Three batters later, Alexis Schuldt came through with a clutch two-out RBI single into right center field to put her team back in front by a run at 3-2.
- The Regents then turned the ball over to Mariah Martinez to record the final six outs. Martinez was never really in trouble in either inning, earning her third save of the year, and preserving the 3-2 win.
Game 1
- Michaela Froehlich finished 2-for-3.
- Enedy Perez went 1-for-3.
- Mariah Martinez went the distance for her eighth complete game of the season. Martinez allowed just one run off three hits, while striking out five and walking none.
Game 2
- Kariana Williams went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Williams also threw the first five innings and earned the win. She allowed just two runs and struck out four batters.
- Alexis Schuldt finished 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored.
- Lauren Zielinski and Olivia Lysaght were each 1-for-3 with a run scored.
- Mariah Martinez pitched the final 2 innings to get her third save of the season. Martinez allowed no runs off one hit and struck out one batter.
