FITCHBURG, Wis. (April 27, 2005) -- Edgewood College defeated Rockford College in a non-conference softball doubleheader on Wednesday, 6-5 and 7-4, from McGaw Park. With the wins, the Eagles improved to 24-12 on the season, while Rockford dropped to 19-11 overall.
The Regents led 2-1 in game one before Edgewood put together a three-run sixth inning to take a 4-2 advantage. But back-to-back doubles by Nicole Blankenberger and Katie Dorland in the top of the seventh drove in a total of three runs as Rockford regained its lead at 5-4.
Down by a run in the bottom of the seventh, the Eagles got things going on base hit bunts by Jessica Stephens (St. Charles, Ill.) and Jennifer Stephens (St. Charles, Ill.). Jessica Stephens would score the tying run on an error and Jennifer Stephens plated the game-winning run on a fielder’s choice.
Edgewood left 15 runners stranded on the base paths compared to 10 runners left on base by the Regents. Rockford out-hit Edgewood 10-7, but committed four costly errors that led to five unearned runs. Jessica Stephens and Katie Hensgen (Waunakee, Wis.) each had two hits to lead the Eagles offensively. Rockford’s Amber Fryman went 3-for-4 with an RBI.
Jessica Courchaine (Marathon, Wis.) was Edgewood’s starting pitcher, but did not get the decision after leaving the game in the seventh inning with the Eagles down by a run. She allowed seven hits and two earned runs, while walking four and striking out three. The win was credited to Brittany Butcher (St. Charles, Ill.), who faced seven batters in the final frame. Butcher gave up three hits, two earned runs and walked one.
Edgewood didn’t make things quite as close in game two by taking a 7-1 lead following a four-run outburst in the bottom of the fourth. Rockford rallied for three runs in its next at bat on five hits and an Eagle error, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the early setback.
Nichole Johnson (Waunakee, Wis.) provided much of the Eagle offense. Johnson went 3-for-4 in the nightcap, including a pair of two-run doubles, and scored two runs. Jennifer Stephens collected three hits in four plate appearances and Amy Bahler (Monroe, Wis.) went 2-for-3.
Kristen Borre (Beloit, Wis.) picked up the win after pitching five complete innings. She surrendered nine hits and four earned runs with a strikeout. Bahler was flawless in the pitcher’s circle, retiring the side in the sixth and seventh innings, and earned the save.
Edgewood will attempt to win the Lake Michigan Conference championship outright tomorrow (Thursday, April 28). The Eagles, who are first place in the LMC standings with an 11-1 mark, will play host to second place Concordia University (14-14, 9-3 LMC). Edgewood has claimed at least a share of the LMC title, but will clinch the No. 1 seed in the upcoming conference tournament with a split over the visiting Falcons. Thursday’s doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. at McGaw Park.
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