NAPERVILLE, Ill. - The Carroll University softball team lost to North Central College 3-2 to cap a College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin doubleheader at Shanower Family Field on Saturday afternoon.
It was the first conference loss of the season for Carroll, which split the two-game series to drop to 1-1 in  the league standings and 10-10 overall.
North Central, which improved to 1-1 in conference and 10-7 overall, scored the first run of the contest in the top of the third on a double to left-center field by junior center fielder Jenna Trojniar.
Carroll tied the game in the bottom of the fifth on an RBI double to right field by sophomore catcher Veronica Rodriguez (South Bend, Ind.).
Tied 1-1 after six complete innings, North Central scored two runs in the top of the seventh to help ensure a victory.
Sophomore second baseman Rachele Belletini scored as the result of a fielder's choice groundout and sophomore shortstop Taylor Clugston drove in what became the winning run on a sacrifice fly.
Carroll added a run in the bottom of the seventh on an RBI single from senior first baseman Kelly Strasser (Waterford, Wis.) but couldn't get any closer.
Junior right-hander Sarah Esposito was the winning pitcher, scattering nine hits with four strikeouts and two walks in going the distance.
Strasser went 3-for-4 and Rodriguez had two hits to help power a nine-hit attack for the Pioneers, who stranded nine baserunners.
Freshman right-hander Lexy Kemnitzer (McFarland, Wis.) pitched a five-hitter in taking a complete-game loss.