ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University softball team won a pair of games 4-1 and 4-3 over the St. Norbert College Green Knights on Saturday afternoon. Rockford trailed in both games as St. Norbert was able to take an early lead twice, but the Regent offense was able to come through in the later innings of both games en route to the sweep. In the circle, the Regents were backed by two phenomenal performances from game one starter
Bella Lima and game two starter
Kariana Williams. Both starters held the Green Knight offense in check, allowing just four runs and seven hits between their 14.0 innings of work on the day. This sweep of the Green Knights marks the first time Rockford has ever swept St. Norbert.
Game 1
- The Green Knights struck first in game one on a leadoff triple, followed by an RBI single to give them an early 1-0 lead.
- However, after that RBI single, RU starting pitcher Bella Lima completely shut down St. Norbert, not allowing another hit until the fifth inning and allowing just two overall for the rest of the game.
- The Regents were able to tie the game in the bottom of the third. Chayton Krueger led off the inning with a single, Kariana Williams walked and with two outs Bella Lima drove in Krueger with an RBI ground-rule double to tie the game up at 1-1.
- Rockford finally broke through to take the lead with a three-run bottom of the fifth.
- The Regents took advantage of a Green Knight error to plate their first run of the inning and scored its final two runs on a two-run double by Chayton Krueger to give Rockford a 4-1 lead.
- St. Norbert was able to load the bases in the top of the seventh to make it interesting, but starting pitcher Bella Lima eventually recorded the final three outs to secure the 4-1 win and the complete game performance.
Game 2
- St. Norbert struck first again in game two, this time for two runs in the top of the first. The Green Knights had just one hit in the inning but took advantage of a hit by pitch and two walks in the inning, scoring on a two-run double to give the Green Knights an early 2-0 lead.
- St. Norbert added to its lead in the top of the third on an RBI double to make it a 3-0 game.
- Fortunately, the Regents responded with a four-run third inning to push themselves into the lead.
- Rockford had just one hit in the inning, but took advantage of two walks and an error in the inning, capped off by a Kariana Williams sacrifice fly to give Rockford the 4-3 lead.
- After the RBI double by St. Norbert in the third, RU starting pitcher Kariana Williams retired the next nine batters she faced, not allowing another hit for the rest of the game.
- Williams eventually retired the final three batters of the game in the seventh in order, securing the 4-3 win, the complete game and the sweep over St. Norbert.
Game 1
- Bella Lima was brilliant in the circle, picking up her 8th win of the season with a complete game, allowing just 4 hits, one run and raking up 2 strikeouts on the afternoon. At the plate, she was 1-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
- Chayton Krueger slashed 2-for-4 with a double, a run and 2 RBIs.
- Kariana Williams finished 1-for-2 with 2 walks.
Game 2
