FOND DU LAC, Wis. - The Rockford University softball team fell in a pair of close games on the road Saturday afternoon to the Marian University Sabres. Rockford led nearly the entire way in the opener. Unfortunately, the Sabres took the lead off a three-run home run in the bottom of the sixth and held on for a 4-3 victory. In the nightcap, it was the Regents who attempted to pull off a comeback win. Rockford trailed the entire game, but loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh and down by only two runs. Unfortunately, the Sabres were able to wiggle out of the jam and secure the 4-2 win and the sweep.
Marian 4 Rockford 3
- Rockford took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Bella Lima and Candace Kipp each drew walks, and then Emily Down drove in both with a clutch, two-out, two-run single.
- The score remained unchanged until the bottom of the third, when the Sabres cut the RU lead in half. Marian strung together back-to-back singles to start the inning, and then got its third single of the frame a few batters later, to make it a 2-1 Regent lead.
- The Regents promptly got that run back in the top of the fourth. Emily Down led off the inning with her first home run of the season, to extend Rockford's advantage to 3-1.
- Rockford maintained its two-run lead until the Sabres plated a trio of runs in the bottom of the sixth, to take the lead for the first time in the game. Marian opened the frame with a pair of singles, and then two batters later, Emalee Depa smacked a three-run home run, to give her team a 4-3 advantage heading into the seventh.
- The Regents were able to get a runner into scoring position thanks to a Michaela Froehlich single and wild pitch, but unfortunately, Rockford could not tie the game and dropped the opener 4-3.
Marian 4 Rockford 2
- Marian cracked a pair of home runs in the bottom of the second to grab a 3-0 lead. Ariana Schliepp led off the inning with a solo shot, and three batters later, Andrea Miller smacked a two-run homer to give her team a three-run advantage.
- Rockford was able to cut into the deficit in the top of the fourth. Bella Lima and Candace Kipp began the inning with a double and a single, to put runners on the corners with no one out. The Regents then executed a double steal to perfection, to make it a 3-1 game.
- The score remained unchanged until the Marian plated a single run in the bottom of the sixth. With runners on first and third and two outs, the Sabres were able to get in and stay in a rundown between first and second long enough for the runner on third to score and extend their lead to 4-1 heading into the seventh.
- The seventh inning was extremely exciting as the Regents had a chance to tie the game or take the lead. Jocelyn Callahan got things started with a one-out walk. Two batters later, Emily Down and Lauren Zielinski each singled, with Zielinski driving in Callahan, to make it a 4-2 game. Enedy Perez was then hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs. Unfortunately, the Sabres were able to retire the next batter to secure the 4-2 win.
Game 1
- Emily Down finished 2-for-3 with a home run, 3 RBIs and a run scored.
- Candace Kipp was 1-for-1 with 2 walks and a run scored.
- Mariah Martinez tossed her sixth complete game of the season. Martinez went 6 innings and allowed 4 runs while striking out 2 batters.
Game 2
