ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Rockford University Softball team swept a non-conference doubleheader, winning game one 11-0 and game two 21-0, both in five innings, against the Maranatha Baptist University Sabercats. Rockford had one of its best offensive outputs of the season, scoring a combined 32 runs on 22 hits. The Regents were also backed by the dominant pitching of
Claire Shanahan in game one and
Neelah Vandeberg in game two, both tossing complete game shutouts in each of their respected starts. In game one, Rockford did all of its scoring in two innings, scoring four in the first and seven in the fourth en route to the 11-0 win. In game two, the offense continued to shine, dropping a season-high 21 runs, capped off by a 10 run fourth inning. This ultimately saw Rockford in control the entire afternoon, allowing the Regents to eventually cruise to the sweep.
Game 1
- Rockford broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the first inning. After a single by Makenzie Schwartz and a hit batter, Payton Willenkamp drove in RU's first two runs with an RBI triple to center to make it 2-0.
- Kaylee Jarrard followed that up with an RBI double off the right field wall to make it 3-0.
- The Regents scored their final run of the inning on an RBI groundout by Claire Shanahan to make it an early 4-0 lead.
- RU starting pitcher Claire Shanahan was brilliant in the circle throughout the entire game, completely holding the Sabercats bats in check. She did not allow a hit until the fourth inning and only allowed four base runners the entire game.
- The Regents blew the game open with a massive seven run fourth inning. After Rockford put runners on first and second with one out, Makenzie Schwartz laced an RBI single to make it 5-0.
- One batter later, Payton Willenkamp smashed a two-run double to left to make it 7-0. Rockford scored its next four runs in the inning by taking advantage of some Sabercats errors and walks, allowing the Regents to take an 11-0 lead.
- Claire Shanahan finished off the game by recording the final three outs, securing her first career complete game shutout and the 11-0 win in five innings via the mercy rule.
Game 2
- After no scoring through the first 1.5 innings, Rockford broke through in a big way, with five runs in the bottom of the second. Neelah Vandeberg scored the first run of the inning via a passed ball and Mia Consentino and Linnea Nelson scored the next two on wild pitches.
- Makenzie Schwartz drove in the fourth run of the inning with a sacrifice bunt and Claire Shanahan drove in the final run of the inning with an RBI single to make it 5-0 Rockford.
- After pitching herself out of a jam in the first inning, RU starting pitcher Neelah Vandeberg was sharp in the circle throughout game two. Vandeberg allowed just three hits the entire game, racking up three strikeouts along the way.
- The Regents added to their lead with six more runs in the bottom of the third. Linnea Nelson drove in the first run with an RBI double roped down the line, scoring on the next play on a Sabercats error to make it 7-0.
- Four batters later, with the bases loaded, Payton Willenkamp smashed a two-run double into center to make it 9-0 and Neelah Vandeberg followed that up with an RBI triple to give the Regents an 11-0 lead.
- Rockford followed that up by scoring ten runs in the bottom of the fourth. The Regents took advantage of four Sabercats errors to plate the first three runs of the inning, to make it 15-0
- Kayla Wiedenmann added to that with a two-run double, followed by an RBI single by Mia Consentino and Linnea Nelson cleared the bases with an inside the park home run to make it 20-0. Rockford scored its final run on an RBI single by Makenzie Schwartz to give RU a 21-0 lead.
- Neelah Vandeberg finished things off by retiring the Sabercats in order in the fifth, striking out two in the inning to secure her first career complete game shutout, the 21-0 win via the mercy rule and the sweep over Maranatha.
Game 1
- Claire Shanahan was terrific in the circle, firing all 5.0 innings for her first career complete game shutout and victory, sacrificing just 1 hit and racking up 3 punchouts on the afternoon.
- Payton Willenkamp went a perfect 3-for-3 with 2 doubles, a triple, 4 RBIs and 2 runs scored.
- Makenzie Schwartz was 2-for-3 with 2 runs scored, a stolen base and an RBI.
- Mia Consentino was 2-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base.
- Kaylee Jarrard went 1-for-3 with a double, 2 runs scored and an RBI.
Game 2
- Neelah Vandeberg picked up her first career win and complete game shutout with a terrific 5.0 innings, allowing just 3 hits and racking up 3 strikeouts. At the plate, she was 1-for-4 with a triple, 2 runs scored and 2 RBIs.
- Linnea Nelson was 2-for-3 with an inside the park home run, the first of her career, a double, 2 runs scored and 3 RBIs.
- Kayla Wiedemann went 3-for-4 with a double, 2 runs scored, 2 stolen bases and 2 RBIs.
- Makenzie Schwartz finished 2-for-3 with 2 runs scored, a stolen base and 3 RBIs.
- Mia Consentino went 2-for-3 with 3 runs scored an RBI, 2 stolen bases and a walk.
