(Waukesha, Wis.) – The Carroll University softball team clinched a spot in the four-team Midwest Conference championship tournament.
 
The Pioneers lost the opening game of a Midwest Conference doubleheader against Monmouth College, 11-0 in five innings, but responded with a 12-2 victory in game two to secure the berth.
 
Liz Hippen, the ace of the Fighting Scots pitching staff, threw a gem against the Pioneers in the opener. She went the distance and surrendered just one hit while striking out seven batters.
 
Shelby Sommer, who was roughed up on the mound for CU, registered the only hit for the Pioneers.
 
Things turned around for Carroll in the nightcap.
 
Game two started with a Monmouth run but Carroll plated three in the bottom half of the inning to gain control and went to score at least a run in all of the game-shortened six innings, including three more each in the third and sixth innings.
 
Hannah Miller took the ball in game two and kept the Fight Scot hitters off balance all game. She went the distance, surrendering just one earned run and seven hits.
 
Veronica Rodriguez highlighted a powerful line-up that had 13 hits on the afternoon. Rodriguez went 2-for-3 with five runs driven in and a home run. Micah Clutter and Kelly Strasser were perfect at the plate in three at-bats.
 
Pending other league results from today, it is likely the MWC Tournament will be played at Lake Forest College. As of now, the Foresters, Monmouth and Carroll have locked up berths. In the running for the final spot is Cornell College, Illinois College and Lawrence University.