ELMHURST, Ill. – In their final home games of the regular season, Elmhurst Softball secured a split on Wednesday afternoon, winning 8-7 over Rockford (Ill.) in non-conference action before falling in the second game of the day, 7-6.
Game 1
Elmhurst 8, Rockford 7
WP: Lenczewski (5-8) • LP: Monk
The visiting Regents got off to a strong start, scoring four runs on four hits in the top of the 1st. The Bluejays would respond in the bottom half of the inning, highlighted by Bella Swift's two-out, two-run single that tied the game at 4-4.
Rockford posted two more in the 2nd, but a pair of singles from Brenna Morley and Bailey Proffitt to lead off the bottom of the 2nd set the table for an RBI groundout from Maddie Kriech. The Regents tacked on another run in the 4th, but Danielle Hood got it back with a two-out single up the middle to score Hailee Jenkins.
In the bottom of the 7th, The first two batters would reach base, followed by a walk drawn by Kaylee Aimone to load the bases. Annamarie Vivirito would tie the game with an RBI groundout, and Josie Waite scored the walk-off base hit, singling to left and bringing home Hood for the game-winning run.
Profitt led the Jays at the plate, finishing 3-for-4 in the win. Waite and Swift each recorded two RBI in the win. Emma Lenczewski picked up her fifth win of the season, throwing six innings of relief without an earned run allowed.
Game 2
Rockford 7, Elmhurst 6
WP: Vandeberg • LP: Denny (2-9)
HR: Rice (3)
The Bluejays would take a 6-0 lead after three innings, with RBI singles from Sera Stepien and Proffitt in the bottom of the 2nd, and a three-run shot from Clara Rice in the 3rd.
Rockford rallied back, scoring four runs in the 4th and three more in the 6th to take their first lead of the game.
Vivirito finished 3-for-4 in the second game, scoring one RBI and two runs scored. Hood would go 2-for-3 with a walk and run scored.
The Bluejays resume CCIW play on Thursday, when they travel to Carroll for a doubleheader beginning at 2:00 p.m.
