WHEATON, Ill. - The Rockford University softball team fell 3-0 and 8-2 on the road Tuesday to the Wheaton College Thunder. In the opener, RU starting pitcher
Mariah Martinez took the tough luck loss for the Regents. Martinez threw a complete game one-hitter, but allowed a trio of unearned runs in third as Rockford was shutout for the second time this year. Rockford took an early 2-0 lead in the nightcap but was ultimately done in by the long ball. The Thunder blasted a three-run home run in the fourth and a grand slam in the sixth en route to the 8-2 win.
Wheaton 3 Rockford 0
- Rockford University starting pitcher Mariah Martinez was the story of game one for the Regents. Martinez allowed just one hit in the game and did not allow an earned run. Additionally, she did not allow a runner to reach second safely after the third inning.
- The Regents had scoring opportunities in the second, third and sixth innings.
- In the second, Enedy Perez ripped a two-out double off the wall in center. In the third, Rockford had runners on second and third with one out following a Lauren Zielinski walk, an Alexis Schuldt single and a bunt. Then in the sixth, Jocelyn Callahan tripled to lead off the inning.
- Unfortunately, the Regents were unable to scratch across a run in each of those situations.
- The Thunder scored all three of their runs in the third inning. Wheaton had just one hit in the frame, but took advantage of two RU errors to score a trio of unearned runs and escape with a 3-0 win.
Wheaton 8 Rockford 2
- Rockford was able to break the scoreless tie in game two with two runs in the top of the third inning.
- Jocelyn Callahan got things started after she reached on an error and then stole second and third to put herself in scoring position with no one out. She would later score on a wild pitch to give Rockford a 1-0 lead. Following a Bella Lima single and an Emily Down walk, Kariana Williams drove in Rockford's other run on an RBI single to short.
- The Regents maintained their 2-0 lead until the Thunder plated a trio of runs in the bottom of the fourth. Abby Whitehead gave Wheaton the lead with a 3-run home run to right center.
- Wheaton then tacked on an additional run in the fifth off three hits to extend its lead to 4-2.
- The score remained unchanged until Wheaton's Elizabeth Meyer belted a grand slam over the left field wall in the bottom of the six and essentially put the game out of reach.
- Rockford was able to get a pair of runners on in the seventh, but could not cut into the deficit and fell by a final score of 8-2.
Game 1
- Mariah Martinez was excellent inside the circle for the Regents. Martinez allowed just one hit and no earned runs over her six innings of work.
- Jocelyn Callahan went 1-for-2 with a triple.
- Enedy Perez finished 1-for-3 with a double.
Game 2
