WAUKESHA, Wis. - Hannah Miller knew what had to be done.
Miller, a senior designated hitter from Chicago, Ill. who hits in the fifth spot of the batting order,  delivered a pressure-packed three-run double to center field to spark a five-run bottom of the third inning and lead the Carroll University softball team to an 11-1 five-inning victory over Wheaton College in the opening game of a College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin doubleheader at Jean Kilgour Field on Tuesday afternoon.
It was the third home-field conference victory for Carroll, which rebounded from a recent string of back-to-back losses to improve to 6-3 in the league standings and 15-12 overall.
The game was limited to five innings as the 10-run mercy rule was enforced.
The Pioneers led 1-0 at the end of the first inning and broke the game wide open by scoring five runs in both the bottom of the third and fourth.
Senior first baseman Kelly Strasser (Waterford, Wis.) drove in Carroll's first run on a clutch, two-out RBI double off the center field fence in the bottom of the first.
With the bases loaded and one out in the third, Miller's poise at the plate took the spotlight as she nailed the key line drive up the middle to help break the game wide open.
Strasser, senior shortstop Megan Kohlmetz (Appleton, Wis.) and freshman pinch-runner Phoebe Reyrao (Aurora, Ill.) each scored on the momentum-shifting hit.
Sophomore second baseman Maggie Erdman (Jefferson, Wis.) rounded out the big inning with a one-out two-run double.
For Miller, one of six seniors on the roster this season, coming through with a critical, game-changing hit was exciting.
"I just tried to approach the situation with a clear mind and did my best to make the most of the opportunity," said Miller, who went 2-for-3 with two doubles and five RBIs to help power Carroll's aggressive 13-hit attack. "It was an inside pitch and I managed to get my hands in front of it just enough to drive the ball up the middle. At that point, it was all about taking care of business as usual and getting the job done. It was just a relief to see everything come together.
"After being swept last week, it felt great to be able to come back home, have a strong game and get another victory in the CCIW. With the strength of the conference, it was amazing to begin the doubleheader with a 10-run rule win to help set the tone for the day. 
"It really showed that we're not the underdogs anymore and are going to come ready to fight every time we step on the field. Hopefully, this victory will give us a lot of confidence heading into the final stretch of the season and we can go out with a bang."
Miller added a two-run double in the five-run fourth for the Pioneers. Freshman third baseman Lexy Kemnitzer (McFarland, Wis.) also had a run-scoring double with Erdman and sophomore pinch-hitter Kelsey Edwards (Rockford, Ill.) each contributing an RBI single.
Sophomore catcher Veronica Rodriguez (South Bend, Ind.) had three hits and scored two runs for Carroll. Strasser, Erdman and Kemnitzer each followed with two hits apiece for the Pioneers.
Freshman right-hander Amanda Osterhus (Munster, Ind.) pitched a two-hitter with seven strikeouts and no walks to earn a victory.
Sophomore first baseman Kelly Thornton had an RBI sacrifice fly in the fourth for Wheaton, which dropped to 1-6 in conference and 5-24 overall.