ROSCOE, Ill.- The Rockford University softball team returned to action tonight to take on Maranatha Baptist University in a non-conference doubleheader. The Regents rolled over the Sabercats winning by the finals of 9-6 and 12-3.
In game one Maranatha scored the first run of the game but Rockford was able to respond with three runs when Brittany Bihun (Schaumburg, Ill.) laced a two-run single into right field to drive in Lisa Blakeley-Snyder (Winnebago, Ill.) and Stefaney Kenworthy (Veedersburg, Ind.). Later in the inning Taylor Pilarczyk (Chicago, Ill.) hit an RBI single to plate Bihun. RU had taken a 3-1 lead into the second inning. The Regents added two more in the second when Bihun hit another RBI single to plate Shannon LeGath (Sturtevant, Wis.). Later in the inning Lynn Blakeley-Snyder (Winnebago, Ill.) had an RBI hit-by-pitch. Rockford extended their lead to 5-1.
After Rockford tacked on a run in the fifth, Maranatha responded with four runs to narrow their deficit to 6-5. The Regents expanded their lead in the sixth when Brooke Burris (Galatia, Ill.) hit a solo home run over the left field wall. Later, Nicole McCabe (Brookfield, Wis.) hit a two-run single to plate Lynn Blakeley-Snyder and Pilarczyk. Ultimately, RU won by the final of 9-5.
In game two, the Sabercats began by taking advantage of Regent errors to post three runs. Rockford responded with five runs in the second inning. After posting their first two runs off a wild pitch and an RBI groundout, Lisa Blakeley-Snyder smashed a double to left-center field to drive in Eiben and McCabe. Bihun than hit an RBI single to bring in Blakeley-Snyder. RU had taken the lead 5-3. In the third inning Abigail Wellwood (Rockford, Ill.) hit a two-run double to right-center field to drive in Eiben. A throwing error on the play led to another run to give the Regents a 7-3 advantage. Rockford tacked on another run on an RBI groundout to make it an 8-3 lead.
Rockford added the final four runs in the fourth inning by way of an RBI groundout. A couple of batter later Kenworthy hit the game-winning blast over the left field wall to give the Regents a 12-3 lead. Ultimately, Rockford set Maranatha down in order in the fifth for a 12-3 victory.
On the bump in game one was Stefaney Kenworthy. She threw a complete game allowing six runs while striking out 9 batters. Kenworthy earned her fourth victory of the season. In game two was ABigail Wellwood. She threw a complete game throwing five inning allowing three runs, zero earned, while striking out three. The victory was her first of the season.
Leading the Regents offensively were Lisa Blakeley-Snyder who went 4-for-8 with 3 runs scored, 2 RBI's and one walk. Brittany Bihun went 4-for-8 with 4 RBI's and 1 run scored. Nicole McCabe went 2-for-4 with 3 runs scored, 2 RBI's and 3 walks. Caitlin Eiben went 3-for-3 in the second game with 2 doubles and 3 runs scored.
RU returns to action Saturday, April 22 at MSOE in Milwaukee, Wis. with a scheduled start time of 12 p.m.
