ROCKFORD, Ill. - The Beloit College Softball team took the quick trip across the border to Rockford this afternoon for a two game stand against the Rockford University Regents. The Buccaneers' (2-14, 0-0 MWC) offense exploded for nine runs in game two, their second highest run total this season. The Regents (7-3, 0-0 NACC) proved to be too much for the Bucs to handle though and swept the series, 9-0 (5 innings) and 10-9.
Beloit mustered only two hits in the first game, both coming from freshman
Rachel Overocker (Tinley Park, IL).
Lylah Murrah (North Pole, AK) drew a walk and
Angela Donath (Wausau, Wis.) was hit by a pitch to round out the four base runners for the Bucs in game one.
In game two, Beloit jumped out to 5-0 lead right out of the gates. To lead off the top of the first, Murrah doubled to right center and moved over to third on a wild pitch.
Briana Arteaga (Covina, Calif.) reached first on a bunt single to the pitcher and stole second to put two runners in scoring position. Donath hit a double down the right field line to score both runners. RU retired Overocker for the first time in two games when she grounded out to the pitcher, moving Donath 60 feet from home. Keeping the inning alive,
Allison Olson (Sandwich, IL) laid down a successful sacrifice bunt to score Donath for Beloit's third run of the inning. With the bases empty and two outs,
Kaylee Witte (Poplar Grove, IL) singled up the middle. She came in to score when
Siddalee Meyers (Orfordville, Wis.) doubled up the middle. Meyers moved over to third on a wild pitch.
Isabel Johnson (Austin, Texas) walked to put runners on first and second. Meyers came home to score on a wild pitch that moved Johnson from first to third. A ground out ended the inning with the Bucs ahead 5-0. Rockford cut into the lead in the bottom of the first, getting three runs back.
With the top of the order up in the top of the second, Murrah led off the inning with a bomb to right center, both her first and the teams first of the season. Overocker continued her hot day with a single to center.
Bo Everly came into pinch run for Overocker and advanced to second on a passed ball. Everly came around to score when Olson singled through the left side. After two innings of action, the Bucs' led 7-3.
Neither team scored until RU got one run back in the bottom of the fourth. Beloit's eighth run crossed home when Meyers singled to center field with the bases loaded.
Stella Lutes came in to score. Rockford's offense woke up in the bottom of the sixth, jumping out to a 10-8 lead with one chance left for the Bucs.
In the top of the seventh, Beloit got a spark of offense from
Jessalyn Coppe (Niles, IL). Coppe launched a home run over the center field fence. The comeback came up just short and the Bucs fell in game two.
Game Leaders:
#15 Overocker: 4-5
#17 Witte: 2-4, R
#24 Meyers: 2-4, 2B, R
The Buccaneers are on the road this weekend. They head to Elmhurst, Ill. on Saturday for a double header against Elmhurst University. First pitch for game one is set for 12 pm.
