Box Score KENOSHA, Wis. - Sophomore right fielder Annika Graves (Muskego, Wis.) went 3-for-4 and drove in a run as the Carroll University softball team lost to Carthage College 3-2 in the finale of a College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin doubleheader Thursday.
The loss took on added significance as it marked the first time the Pioneers have been swept by a conference opponent this season.
Carroll, which came into the series riding the momentum created from winning five of its first six league games, dropped to 5-3 in the CCIW standings and 14-12 overall.
All three of the Pioneers' conference losses have been by a one-run margin.
It was the ninth consecutive victory for Carthage, which moved into a tie for first place in the conference standings with a 9-1 record and improved to 18-8 overall.
Carroll collected the first run of the contest in the bottom of the third on an RBI single by senior first baseman Kelly Strasser (Waterford, Wis.).
Carthage answered with two runs in the top of the fourth, powered on run-scoring singles from senior catcher Kristine Herdegen and junior designated hitter Lauren Jones.
Graves delivered an RBI double to left field to tie the game 2-2 in the bottom of the fourth for Carroll, which had seven hits in the contest but also stranded seven baserunners.
Sophomore first baseman Hailey Rothstein drove in what proved to be the winning run on a single to center field in the top of the sixth for Carthage.
Sophomore right-hander Amy Goldsmith, 9-1 overall, scattered seven hits with three strikeouts and one walk en route to the complete-game victory.
Senior right-hander Hannah Miller (Chicago, Ill.), 3-4 overall, pitched a six-hitter with two strikeouts and three walks in taking the loss.