ROCKFORD, Ill. - The University of Dubuque softball team in the final games before Easter break would end Thursday with a hard fought sweep of the Rockford University Regents. UD won game one in eight innings 7-5 and stopped game two after five innings with a 11-1 score.
UD jumped out to the quick lead in game one by scoring three runs at the top of the first inning. The Spartans would score a run in the second and third innings to carry a 5-1 lead into the sixth inning. The host Regents rallied in the bottom of the sixth to score four runs off four hits and a Spartans error to tie the game through six. Both teams failed to score in the seventh and the Spartans would rally with two outs in the eighth.
Deanna Origer would double to left field and sent runners
Alyanna Martinez and
Lauren Brown across the plate to re-take the lead 7-5. UD would retire the side in the bottom of the eight with an out to shortstop, a fly out to left field, and a ground out at second base.
The Spartans scored seven runs off eight hits and committed five errors.
Deanna Origer racked up three RBI's after going 2-5 at the plate. Rachel Reader finished game one with a 2-4 outing and Cayla Cavanaugh collected a three RBI day as well after a 2-4 effort.
Nicolette Evans allowed just two runs through 5.2 innings and struck out three.
Lexi Schmidt collected the victory after 2.1 innings of work and allowing just two hits.
In the second game, UD would end the night early for the Regents in five short innings. The Spartans scored 11 runs off eight hits and played errorless ball. The Regents scored one run off one hit and scored their lone run off a wild pitch. They committed four costly errors in the loss.
A trio of Spartans finished with two RBI's each.
Kylee Biedermann scored three runs was 1-2 batting with two RBI's.
Morgan Turnmire went 1-2 with two RBI's and
Lauren Brown scored a run, was 2-3 and added a pair of RBI's to her season total.
Lexi Schmidt started the game and tossed the one hitter after five complete innings with four strike outs.
#18-ranked UD 12-4 overall was scheduled to face UW-Platteville on April 7, but the game has been canceled. The Spartans next contest is April 10 with doubleheader at home against the Nebraska Wesleyan University Prairiewolves scheduled at 1/3 p.m. They will complete the weekend series on Sunday with varsity game at 1 p.m. and the junior varsity game after.
