ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University softball team fell in both games to the Lakeland University Muskies Saturday afternoon, falling in game one 8-0 and coming up just short in game two 3-2 in extras. The opener belonged to the Muskies as Rockford was held to just three hits the entire game and Lakeland's offense was in a groove, ultimately winning the game via the mercy rule in five innings. Game two was a completely different story as Rockford's Bella Lima and Lakeland's Lily Pettit were locked in a pitcher's duel that only saw one run sacrificed from each side over the first seven innings, ultimately forcing the game into extras. Lakeland eventually took the lead with a two-run ninth, but the Regents did battle until the final out, getting the tying run to the plate in the bottom of the ninth with one out. Unfortunately, Rockford was not able to get anything going past that, ultimately falling in nine innings and allowing the Muskies to walk away with the sweep. 


Game 1

• Both teams were held scoreless over the first 2.5 innings of play, but Lakeland changed that with a three-run top of the third. 
• The Muskies loaded the bases with two outs and Lakeland's Lexi Howard delivered a bases-clearing triple that made it a 3-0 Lakeland lead. 
• Lakeland took control of the game with a big five-run fourth inning. The Muskies had four hits in the inning and took advantage of two walks to give themselves an 8-0 lead. 
• Rockford was not able to get anything going offensively for really the entire game, eventually falling in game one by a final score of 8-0 in five innings. 

Game 2

• The Regents threatened to take their first lead of the day early in game one, putting runners on second and third with no outs in the bottom of the first. Unfortunately, Lakeland's Lily Pettit was able to wiggle her way out of the jam, keeping the game scoreless. 
• The Muskies eventually broke the scoreless tie in the top of the third with a single run on an RBI groundout to give Lakeland the 1-0 lead. 
• After this, RU starting pitcher Bella Lima completely held the Muskies in check over the next five innings, not allowing another hit until the ninth inning. 
• Lakeland starting pitcher Lily Pettit also held Rockford's offense in check over the first five innings, but the Regents were eventually able to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth. 
• After Chayton Krueger led off the inning with a ground-rule double, Payton Willenkamp singled to put runners at the corners and Judah Ortiz drove in Krueger with an RBI single down the left field line to equalize the game at 1-1. 
• Neither team was able to get anything going in the seventh inning, forcing extra innings. 
• The Regents had a chance to walk the game off in the bottom of the eighth with a runner on second and one out, but the Muskies were able to get out of the inning unscathed, holding the game at 1-1. 
• Lakeland finally broke the deadlock in the top of the ninth with two runs on three hits. The Muskies took the lead with an RBI single and added what ended up being a big insurance run with an RBI ground-rule double to take a 3-1 lead. 
• The Regents did battle in the bottom of the ninth as they were able to scratch a run across on an RBI single by Kieran Madigan to cut the deficit to one and brought the tying run to the plate with just one out. Unfortunately, the Muskies were able to retire the next two batters in order, securing the 3-2 win and the sweep over the Regents. 

Game 1

• Claire Shanahan tossed 1.1 innings of scoreless relief, sacrificing just 1 hit. 
• Sophia Hulsey finished 1-for-2. 

Game 2

• Bella Lima was terrific despite the losing decision. She fired a career-high 8.1 innings, giving up 3 runs and picking up a single strikeout. 
• Kieran Madigan went 2-for-4 with an RBI. 
• Chayton Krueger finished 2-for-5 with two doubles.
• Judah Ortiz was 1-for-4 with an RBI. 
• Michaela Froehlich went 2-for-4 with a double. 
• Makayla Howard was 2-for-4 with a double. 

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