WAUKESHA, Wis. - Following a frustrating loss in the series opener, the Carroll University softball team entered its final home-field conference game aiming to salvage a victory to keep its hopes for a potential postseason tournament berth alive.
Those hopes suffered a major setback as Carroll lost to third-place Illinois Wesleyan University 8-3 to cap a College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin doubleheader at Kilgour Field on Sunday afternoon.
It was the fifth consecutive conference loss for the Pioneers, who dropped to 6-8 in the conference standings and 15-19 overall.
Carroll entered the twin-bill attempting to solidify one of four spots in the upcoming CCIW tournament but will now need to sweep its final two games versus Elmhurst College (April 29) and then wait to see how the rest of the field finishes during the last week of the challenging 16-game regular season.
Millikin University (14-2) clinched the conference title outright and Carthage College (12-4) finished second to claim the top two spots in the tournament.
Illinois Wesleyan is currently third (9-5) followed by North Central (5-5), Carroll (6-8), Elmhurst (4-6), Augustana (5-9), Wheaton (3-9) and North Park (2-12).
Wesleyan collected its first two runs in the bottom of the first inning, including an RBI sacrifice fly by freshman right fielder Sydney Alery and RBI double from senior designated hitter Katie Caufield.
The Titans, who amassed 13 hits, extended the lead to 5-0 in what became a decisive three-run second -capped with a two-run double by freshman second baseman Shelby Fulk.
Wesleyan added three runs in the third to help ensure a doubleheader sweep.
Carroll fought back with two runs in the top of the fourth to trim the deficit to 8-2, highlighted by a towering, one-out, two-run home run over the left-center field fence by freshman second baseman Elaine Anderson (Bristol, Wis.).
It was the first collegiate homer for Anderson, who went 3-for-3 to help power Carroll's nine-hit offensive attack.
"It was a really special moment," said Anderson, who also had a deep, one-out double off the fence in the second. "To be able to come through with a big hit to help extend the game in the fourth inning only added to the excitement. It was a pitch thrown right down the middle of the plate and I knew it was gone the minute the ball hit the bat. I hit it hard and was just hoping a gust of wind wouldn't take it and keep it in play. After just missing on a homer during my last at-bat, it was pretty cool to see it make it over. Being the first one of my college career, it meant a lot to be able to do it at home.
"Being a freshman, it's been exciting being able to step up and contribute throughout the season. Hopefully, this was just the first of many more home runs to come in the future."
Freshman third baseman/relief pitcher Lexy Kemnitzer (McFarland, Wis.) went 2-for-3 with a one-out solo home run to left field in the top of the seventh for the Pioneers, who stranded 10 baserunners - including six in scoring position.
"It was an inside pitch that hit right on the sweet spot of the bat so I knew it had a chance to go out," said Kemnitzer, of her first homer at the collegiate level. "At first, I sprinted hard down the baseline because I didn't think it was going to make it over the fence. That's when our first-base coach (Hannah Sanidas) filled me in and I was able to take the quick trip around to enjoy the moment. 
"Looking back, it was great to be able to get my first home run in front of all of the Carroll fans and help the team rally one more time at the end of the game. We were pumped up and fought back with some big hits but just couldn't get it done."
Wesleyan freshman right-hander Brea Walker was the winning pitcher, scattering nine hits with two strikeouts and five walks in going the distance.
Senior right-hander Hannah Miller (Chicago, Ill.) took the loss, yielding five earned runs on seven hits through 1 2/3 innings.