WAUKESHA, Wis. - Junior right fielder Annika Graves (Muskego, Wis.) and junior second baseman Maggie Erdman (Jefferson, Wis.) each had two hits and scored a run but it wasn't enough as the Carroll University softball team lost to Carthage College 3-2 in the first game of a sunny, mild College Conference of Illinois-Wisconsin doubleheader at Kilgour Field on Thursday afternoon.
It was the third one-run loss of the season for Carroll, which dropped to 9-4 in the conference standings and 21-12 overall.
Carthage, which improved to 8-5 in league and 18-17 overall, collected two runs in the top of the first inning and followed with what proved to be a game-winning RBI single by junior catcher Alexandra Millett in the third.
Carroll trimmed the deficit to 3-1 in the bottom of the third on a run-scoring sacrifice fly by freshman designated hitter Allyssa Demma (Orland Park, Ill.).
The Pioneers added their final run in the fifth as Erdman scored as the result of a RBI fielder's choice ground ball by Demma.
Carroll, which stranded five baserunners in the contest, had the potential tying run at second with two outs but couldn't get the timely hit as the game ended on a groundout.
Carroll head coach Amy Gradecki was quick to point out that her team's inability to get clutch, pressure-packed hits became a huge factor late.
"We consistently have more hits than the other team but then often struggle to put a lot of runs on the board for one reason or another," Gradecki said. "Down the stretch, we had a few good opportunities but then couldn't get the timely hits to capitalize on the situation. That ended up being the difference. Being a young team, it's an area we will continue to work on as we move forward."
Sophomore right-hander Stefanie Guercio was the winning pitcher, allowing two earned runs on six hits with five strikeouts and no walks to earn a complete-game victory.
Sophomore right-hander Amanda Osterhus (Munster, Ind.) took the complete-game loss, allowing three earned runs on three hits with 13 strikeouts and one walk.
Osterhus, who forced five flyouts and three groundouts, dropped to 12-5 overall with a CCIW-leading 176 strikeouts.