WAUKESHA, Wis. - The Carroll University softball team lost to Millikin University 9-1 in five innings to cap a College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin doubleheader at Kilgour Field on Saturday.
Carroll, which has lost five of its last six conference games, dropped to 6-6 in the highly contested league standings and 15-17 overall.
Despite the setback on Senior Day, the Pioneers remained in sole possession of fourth place to stay in contention for a berth in the prestigious four-team CCIW tournament.
Millikin (13-1), Carthage (11-3) and Illinois Wesleyan (7-5) currently hold the top three spots in the standings with four games left.
Freshman shortstop Kalli Farmer drove in what became the winning run on an RBI double in the bottom of the first inning for Millikin, which improved to 29-9 overall.
The Big Blue extended the lead to 4-0 in the three-run second, fueled on a two-run double by senior left fielder Marissa Padilla.
Millikin added two runs in the third and three in the fourth to ensure the critical doubleheader sweep.
Freshman right-hander Gracie Brookens fired a two-hitter with three strikeouts and one walk to earn a complete-game victory for Millikin.
Freshman third baseman Lexy Kemnitzer (McFarland, Wis.) delivered a one-out double and scored on a throwing error in the fifth to snap a three-game scoreless streak for Carroll, which stranded four baserunners in the contest.
Freshman designated hitter Elaine Anderson (Bristol, Wis.) had the other hit for the Pioneers, who committed three errors.
Senior right-hander Hannah Miller (Chicago, Ill.) took the loss, yielding eight earned runs on seven hits through four complete innings.
"It's been a struggle to score runs during the last four games so it was great to be able to finally push one across to end the drought," said Miller, who was honored along with senior teammates Laura-Lynn Schenk (Kenosha, Wis.), Megan Kohlmetz (Appleton, Wis.), Kara McCaughrean (Woodstock, Ill.), Alyson Gartland (Fort Atkinson, Wis.) and Kelly Strasser (Waterford, Wis.) during an onfield presentation prior to the game. "We made good contact and hit the ball hard but couldn't find the gaps as the game went on. Luck just wasn't on our side today.
"Hopefully, we can keep our heads up and continue playing hard tomorrow. With only a few games left, we're just trying to enjoy the moment and do our best to earn a spot in the conference tournament. Now we just have to see what happens."
Carroll head coach Amy Gradecki was quick to point out the lasting impact the outgoing senior class has 
had on the success of the program.
"They're a great group of kids and will leave quite a hole to fill next season," Gradecki said. "Throughout their time, they have given so much to the program and deserved to be honored in a special way. Looking back on all of their valuable contributions, they will be missed. That said, we still have some important games tomorrow so we'll see how everything plays out.
"Even though its late in the season, we continue to learn from each experience. Hopefully, we can make the most of those lessons and come out firing in the games to come."