MILWAUKEE, Wis. - The Carroll University softball team defeated Milwaukee School of Engineering 6-3 in the opening game of a nonconference doubleheader Thursday afternoon.
It was the sixth consecutive victory for Carroll, which has won 10 of its last 11 and improved to 20-10 overall.
The Pioneers, who reached the impressive 20-victory plateau for the second straight season and fourth time in the last five years, trailed 3-0 after three complete innings but responded with six runs on six hits and took advantage of an error in the decisive top of the fourth.
Senior second baseman Maggie Erdman (Jefferson, Wis.) ignited the rally with a two-out, two-run single to center field to ignite the rally for Carroll, which finished with 10 hits. Senior right fielder Annika Graves (Muskego, Wis.) drove in what proved to be the winning runs on a single to center field and freshman center fielder Sierra Grubor (Milwaukee, Wis.) added a two-run double down the left field line.
Freshman designated hitter Maria Mundt (Milwaukee, Wis.) went 3-for-3 for the Pioneers. Graves and freshman left fielder Katelyn Schneider (Sussex, Wis.) each followed with two hits.
Junior right-hander Amanda Osterhus (Munster, Ind.) pitched a five-hitter with six strikeouts and five walks to earn a complete-game victory.
Osterhus, who improved to 11-5 overall, threw 106 pitches in the contest, including 62 for strikes.