NAPLES, Fla. - The Rockford University softball team defeated Lesley University 5-2 and Alfred State 11-3 earlier today in Naples, Florida. Rockford jumped out to early 3-0 leads in both games and never trailed in either. Senior pitcher/outfielder
Bella Lima was absolutely sensational inside the circle and at the plate on Wednesday. Lima pitched a total of eight innings, allowing no runs and only two hits, while striking out eleven batters to earn a win and a save. At the plate, Lima was 4-for-8 with a double, a triple, 3 RBIs and 4 runs scored. The wins move the Regents to 4-2 this year with two games remaining on their spring trip.
Rockford 5 Lesley 2
- Rockford University starting pitcher Bella Lima was nearly unhittable in her third start of the season. Lima struck out six of the first seven batters she faced, including the first four. She also had a no-hitter through 3.1 innings before the Lynx recorded their one and only hit off her.
- The Regent offense wasted little time getting on the board with a three-run first inning. Jocelyn Callahan led off the frame with a triple down the left field line and then scored on a Bella Lima single back up the middle. After a stolen base, a fielder's choice and a wild pitch put runners on second and third, Judah Ortiz increased Rockford's lead to 2-0 on an RBI groundout. One batter later, Sophia Hulsey lifted a sacrifice fly into left to make it a 3-0 RU advantage.
- Rockford pushed its lead up to 5-0 after tacking on two more runs in the third. Kariana Williams got things started with a leadoff single into left field. After a Sophia Hulsey walk and a Makayla Howard single loaded the bases, Chayton Krueger laced a two-run single through the left side of the infield to make it a 5-0 game.
- The Lynx were finally able to get something going offensively in the top of the sixth. Lesley plated a pair of runs off three hits to chop the Regent lead down to 5-2.
- Fortunately, Rockford was able to retire the side in order in the seventh to secure the victory.
Rockford 11 Alfred State 3
- Rockford once again struck for a trio of runs in the first inning. Bella Lima drove in the first run of the inning on an RBI triple. The Regents' other two runs came on a Neelah Vandeberg RBI and a fielder's choice.
- The Pioneers answered with a run off one hit in the bottom of the first to cut the RU lead down to 3-1.
- The score remained unchanged until the top of the third when the Regents tacked on two more runs. Chayton Krueger drove in both of them on a two-run triple to left field.
- Rockford continued its scoring spree in the top of the fourth. Bella Lima and Neelah Vandeberg drove in a run on an RBI single and an RBI double respectively. The Regents' other run came off a wild pitch, as Rockford entered the bottom of the fourth leading 8-1.
- However, the Pioneers struck for two runs in the bottom half of the inning to make it an 8-3 game. Alfred State strung together three hits and two walks to plate its two runs and cut the RU lead down to five.
- Fortunately, five runs were more than enough for the pitching duo of Kariana Williams and Bella Lima. The two combined to allow just three runs off five hits and struck out five batters. Lima was particularly effective, surrendering just one hit over her three shutout innings.
- The Regent offense tacked on three more runs in the seventh just for good measure. Jocelyn Callahan drove in the first on an RBI single through the right side of the infield, and Kariana Williams drove in the others on a two-run single back up the middle to seal the 11-3 win.
Lesley
- Bella Lima earned the win inside the circle to improve to 2-1 this season. She tossed five shutout innings, allowing just one hit and striking out 6 batters. Lima was also 1-for-3 at the plate with an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base.
- Kariana Williams finished 2-for-3 with 2 runs scored and a stolen base.
- Chayton Krueger was a perfect 3-for-3 and drove in a pair of runs. She also stole a base.
- Makayla Howard went 2-for-4 at the plate.
Alfred State
- Bella Lima went 3-for-5 at the plate with a double, a triple, 2 RBIs, a stolen base and 3 runs scored. She also threw the final three innings of the game. Lima allowed just 1 hit and no runs while striking out 5 batters to earn the save.
- Kariana Williams finished 3-for-5 with 3 RBIs and 2 runs scored. She also earned the win inside the circle.
- Neelah Vandeberg was 2-for-4 with a double and 2 RBIs.
- Chayton Krueger went 1-for-4 with a triple and 3 RBIs.
