LOVES PARK, Ill. - The Rockford University softball team (8-10, 0-6 NACC) struggled offensively against MSOE (7-1, 2-0 NACC) in the Regent's Tuesday doubleheader. The #17 Raiders came in with a team ERA of 1.13, and the pitching staff created problems for the Regents all afternoon. The Regents were unable to record a hit in the opener, getting shutout 6-0, and then fell again in the nightcap 6-2.
Game 1
- It was a defensive battle for the first two innings, neither side able to produce any offense. MSOE finally broke through in the third inning, three straight singles loaded the bases. The next batter hit a ground-rule double to drive in two runs and take the lead 2-0.
- The Regents could only get baserunners by earning walks, unable to bring any runners in to score.
- The Raiders put up a third run after a single to left in the sixth. Then tallied three more runs, all unearned, in the top of the seventh and put the game well out of reach. RU came up in the bottom of the seventh but went down in order, finishing without a hit and an opening game loss 6-0.
Game 2
- MSOE got the scoring started again in game 2, recording four total runs on five straight singles in the second inning to give them the lead 4-0.
- Rockford got one of those runs back in the bottom of the inning, Emily Down hit a single between the left side infielders and scored Isabella Intravaia from second to put the game at 4-1.
- Each team played strong defense for the next five innings, until the Raiders came up to bat in the seventh. The Regents got two quick outs, but then gave up a two-run home run to MSOE that gave the Raiders insurance runs at 6-1.
- Rockford came up in the bottom of the seventh hoping to pull themselves back into the game. Emily Cox hit a solo home run over the left field fence, her second of the year, to bring the score to 6-2. Michaela Spanbauer hit a ground-rule double to left center with two outs, but MSOE recorded the third and final out before she could score, finalizing the game with a final of 6-2.
Game 1
Game 2
