ROCKFORD, Ill. – Today the Mount Mary University softball team (2-8) will take on the Rockford University Regents (2-8). The Blue Angels have waited more than a fortnight to play their eleventh game of the season. While the Regents last played on Mar. 19 when they split with Beloit (2-10).
This season the Regents are already receiving a standout season by their leading hurler Brooke Burris. Starting in three games and logging just over 40 percent of the team's innings, Burris has posted a 1.64 ERA.
Although on the losing end of the season, the entire pitching staff for the Regents prides themselves on not giving up free bases. In 63.2 innings, the Regents have walked only 10 batters. The team 3.52 ERA has kept the team in most games, but the defense for Rockford has bumbled 31 team errors for a fielding percentage of .900.
MMU has received a jolt on all sides of their game in 2016-17. While the team ERA has already dipped 1.53 runs to this point in the season, the Blue Angels bats have come alive as well. In 2015-16, the Blue Angels averaged 5.76 hits per game. With an improved strength of schedule, the Blue Angels now average 7.0 in 2016-17.
Several Blue Angels have been offensive contributors this season. While players like Audrey Beck (Fr./ Costa Mesa, Calif.) and Jess Runge (Sr./Freedom, Wis.) lead the offense with 11 and 10 hits respectively, nine current Blue Angels have an average above .235 (MMU's team batting average in 2015-16.)
Although the Regents have fewer hits, they practice extreme patients at the plate. RU has walked 32 times as a team and struck out 37 times to this point in the season. In nearly identical at-bats, the Blue Angels have struck out 50 times and walked 18.
Today's games are scheduled to start at 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm. With weather patterns surrounding the area, pay attention to mtmaryathletics.com for any updates on game times and locales.
