RIVER FOREST, Ill. - The Rockford University softball team earned a hard-fought split on the road Tuesday afternoon at Concordia University Chicago. After taking an early lead in the opener, Rockford came from behind by scoring four runs over the final three innings to secure a 7-4 victory. Rockford pounded out a season-high 14 hits in the game, including an
Emily Down solo home run. Game two was the exact opposite of game one, featuring a pair of outstanding pitching performances.
Kariana Williams had a no-hitter through three innings and a shutout through four. Unfortunately, the Cougars scored two in the fifth and one in the sixth for the 3-0 win.
Game 1
- Rockford struck for a single run in the top of the first to take an early lead. Olivia Lysaght, Emily Down and Kariana Williams all singled in the inning, with Williams driving in Lysaght to give the Regents a 1-0 advantage.
- However, Concordia Chicago tied the game with a solo home run in the bottom of the first by Arissa Santos.
- The Regents answered right back with two runs in the top of the second. Emily Down and Kariana Williams each knocked in a run with an RBI single to put Rockford back out in front 3-1.
- The score remained unchanged until the bottom of the third when CUC plated a pair of unearned runs to knot the game at 3-3.
- The Cougars then took the lead one inning later by scoring yet another unearned run.
- Fortunately, Rockford was able to tie the game in the top of the fifth. Senior Emily Down blasted a leadoff home run over the left field wall to make it a 4-4 game.
- The Regents then struck for a trio of runs in the sixth. Following a pair of walks to start the inning, Olivia Lysaght drove in the first run on an RBI single back up the middle and gave her team a 5-4 advantage. One batter later, Alexis Schuldt knocked in a run of her own on an RBI single into center. Kariana Williams drove in the final run of the inning with an RBI double into left center.
- A three-run lead was more than enough for RU pitcher Rylee Klema. Klema did not allow an earned run in her five innings of work, including not surrendering a single run over the final three innings of the game. At one point she retired eight straight batters en route to securing her fourth win of the season inside the circle.
Game 2
- The nightcap was an outstanding pitchers' duel between Rockford's Kariana Williams and Concordia Chicago's Ashley Shroll. The two combined to allow a total of just two hits over the first four innings of the game.
- However, Concordia Chicago broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth. The Cougars used a pair of hits to score two runs and grab a 2-0 lead.
- The Cougars then added an unearned run in the sixth to extend their lead to 3-0.
- Unfortunately, the Regents went down in order in the seventh and fell 3-0 to CUC.
Game 1
- Kariana Williams finished a perfect 4-for-4 with a double and 3 RBIs.
- Emily Down went 3-for-5 with a home run, 2 RBIs and a run scored.
- Olivia Lysaght was 3-for-4 with an RBI and 2 runs scored.
- Rylee Klema improved to 4-2 inside the circle this season. Klema threw 5 innings, allowed no earned runs and struck out 4 batters.
Game 2
