By Nicholas Huenefeld/Owens Sports Information
Toledo, Ohio---Emily Rockman's (Springfield/Holland, Ohio) two-run double and Lesley Ducat's 20th win were the two big highlights of a 5-1 win over Macomb Community College by the No. 17 Owens Community College softball team today.
The day, which consisted of just a single seven inning contest, was the regular season finale for both teams. They each begin region tournament play tomorrow.
In the first inning, a pair of walks and a fielder's choice set up a two-out, two-run double to left field by Rockman that gave the Express a 2-0 lead through one.
The Express stretched the lead to three in the third on an RBI single down the left field line by Ducat.
The Monarchs answered back with an unearned run in the fourth. Center fielder Haley Hudgin (Ida/Ida, Mich.) and left fielder Emily Morrow (Monroe Jefferson/Newport, Mich.) collided on a ball in left center, and the Monarchs responded two batters later with their first hit off Ducat to pull within two.
Brittany George (Elmwood/Wayne, Ohio) opened the Express fifth with her 16th double of the season off the fence in left center. Tori Weidinger (Whitmer/Toledo, Ohio) answered with an RBI single up the middle in the next at bat to make it 4-1.
The Express added an unearned run of their own in the sixth. With Hudgin on second after a leadoff single and a sacrifice bunt, Alexandra Veres (Cardinal Stritch/Toledo, Ohio) hit a grounder to second base that was whiffed, allowing Hudgin to score.
The Express picked up six hits in the game, with the only extra base hits coming on the doubles from George and Rockman.
Rockman (2), Weidinger (1) and Ducat (1) each picked up RBIs.
Ducat was masterful, once again, in the circle. The freshman righty improved to 20-3 in the circle, giving the Express back-to-back 20 game winners after Katie Turski (Cardinal Stritch/Oregon, Ohio) won 20 last year.
Wrap Up
The Express are now 26-7 this year. They will travel to Lansing, Mich. tomorrow for the Region XII District G tournament. After a first round bye, the Express will take on the winner of Sinclair Community College and Lansing Community College at 4 p.m. The Lansing/Sinclair game will take place at 2 p.m. Make sure to follow our Twitter account (@owensexpress) for live game updates. We will also post a game recap afterwards at OwensExpress.com.
The Region XII District G tournament is being held at the East Lansing Softball Complex. For more information on where the games will be played, click here
The tournament is scheduled to run through Friday with the championship scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday. The if necessary game of the double elimination tournament will be at 12 p.m. Click here for the tournament schedule
Ducat's 20 win season marks the sixth time an Owens softball pitcher has accomplished that feat. Five players have achieved the honor with April Nietrzeba being the only player to do it twice.