FORT MYERS, Fla. - The Rockford University softball team grabbed two convincing wins on Sunday, defeating Clark University 12-3 and rallying back in the bottom of the 7th against SUNY Potsdam for the 10-9 walk-off win. The Regents were able to get to work offensively against the Cougars, only failing to score in the third and fifth innings, capped off by two separate 4-run innings in the second and sixth. This and
Mariah Martinez's four scoreless innings allowed the Regents to coast to the win over Clark University. In game 2, Rockford fell behind early and had to slowly crawl its way back into the game, trailing by as many as three runs. The Regents, despite being down 9-6 in the bottom of the seventh, were able to put their rally caps on and pull off an exciting walk-off win over the Bears to go 2-0 for the day.
Rockford 12 Clark 3
- The Regents got on the board quickly after Jocelyn Callahan started the day with a walk, stole second base, and Bella Lima was able to drive her in with an RBI triple to put the Regents up 1-0 in the 1st inning.
- Rockford kept its foot on the gas pedal, as they were able to load the bases on multiple errors and a single by Chayton Krueger, Bella Lima was then able to hit her second triple of the game and cleared the bases to put Rockford up 4-0. The Regents again tacked on with a double steal and Bella Lima was able to steal home for Rockford and put them up 5-0 after 2 innings.
- Both offenses were held in check the next two innings, until the Regents again scored in the 4th inning to grow their lead to 6-0.
- The Cougars were able to finally get on the board in the bottom of the 5th inning as they were able to grab two runs and make it a 6-2 ball game.
- Rockford was able to take those runs right back and then some with a 4-run top of the 6th, with RBI singles coming from Makayla Howard, Jocelyn Callahan and Chayton Krueger, Tawni Rasmussen also picked up an RBI with a bases loaded walk.
- The Regents came close to making it a short game, up 8 in the bottom of the 6th, but Clark University was able to plate the run they needed to force another inning and make the score 10-3 Rockford.
- The Regents tacked on two more runs in the top of the 7th inning to take a 12-3 lead and Kariana Williams was able to wrap things up for the Regents in the bottom half of the inning to hold on for the 12-3 win.
Rockford 10 SUNY Potsdam 9
- The Bears were able to break through in the first inning, plating three runs on just three hits to take a 3-0 lead to start things off.
- The Regents were able to respond with their own three run three hit inning, thanks to a single from Chayton Krueger, a double by Bella Lima, a triple by Emily Down to clear the bases and give the Regents their first two runs, and a Kariana Williams RBI single to equalize the game at 3-3.
- Rockford was able to take the lead in the bottom of the 2nd inning via an unearned run off of an error by SUNY Potsdam to make it a 4-3 game.
- SUNY Potsdam responded with a run of its own in the top of 3rd to tie the game up at 4-4 and later added with a 2-run inning in the 4th to take a 6-4 lead over the Regents and tacked on 1 more in the 5th to take a 7-4 lead.
- The Regents got back into the game with a 2-run bottom of the 5th off of two unearned runs sacrificed by the Bears to cut their lead to 7-6.
- The Bears were able to plate 1 run in each of the next 2 innings to take a commanding 9-6 lead with just 3 outs left for the Regent offense to battle back.
- Rockford did exactly what they needed, with Chayton Krueger reaching base to start the inning, Bella Lima singling and Emily Down ripping an RBI double to cut the score to 9-7, but the Regents were not done as Kariana Williams cut the deficit to just 1 after a sacrifice fly and after a single from Judah Ortiz, Michaela Froelich was able to come in huge for the Regents, tying the game up with an RBI double equalizing the score at 9-9.
- The Regents were able to get the walk-off win on error by the Bears, to complete the 7th inning comeback and take the exciting 10-9 win over SUNY Potsdam.
Clark
- Bella Lima provided a big day offensively with a 2-4 day, with 2 triples, which ties the single-game program record for triples, also plating 4 runs and swiping 2 stolen bases.
- Kariana Williams gave an all-around effort as she put up a 3-4 day at the plate with 2 runs scored and tossed a scoreless inning of relief in which she struck out the side.
- Chayton Krueger put up a 2-5 day, scoring 1 run and picking up an RBI.
- Mariah Martinez provided a strong 4 innings of work as she picked up 4 strikeouts and only allowed 2 hits.
SUNY Potsdam
- Bella Lima stayed hot at the plate going 3-4, with 1 double and 1 stolen base.
- Emily Down provided a 3-hit, 3 RBI day, just a home run shy of the cycle.
- Michaela Froehlich put up a 1-4 day with the huge game-tying double in the bottom of the 7th.
