The No. 25 Carroll University softball team opened its home field for the first time since 2019 against UW-Oshoksh on Saturday, March 20. The Pioneers won the first game in an intense extra innings battle decided by a Sierra Grubor walk-off but fell in the second game by a score of 1-2. The Pioneers won a record 13 games in a row dating back to last season coming into game number two this afternoon.
 
The Pioneers (3-1, 0-0 CCIW) put up 13 total hits between the two contests but were only able to plate three total runs, leaving 16 runners on base. Claudia Spencer smacked the lone extra-base hit of the day with a double, and the Pios recorded five total sacrifice hits, including three from Mathena Higgins. Two errors came in game one for the Pios.
 
GAME 1
 
In game one, Amanda Osterhus went 9.2 innings tossing a three-hit, one-run stat line that included three walks and a season-high 15 strikeouts. Grace Bradley came on in relief for the final .1 inning and got the win for the game.
 
After nine scoreless innings, Oshkosh was the first on the board with an RBI single up the middle. Grubor bobbled the ball allowing the runner at third to score. Bradley soon came in after to finish up the inning for Osterhus. In the bottom of the 10^th, with Sydney Raddeman placed on second base, Maria Mundt laid down a beauty of a SAC bunt to advance Raddeman. Raddeman scored thanks to a throwing error by the pitcher at the plate off a Lauren Harshbarger hit. Harshbarger made It to third on a passed ball, allowing Grubor to redeem herself with the game-winning RBI single up the middle.
 
GAME 2
 
In game two, after reaching base on a single, Allyssa Demma advanced thanks to one of Higgins' SAC bunts. Abby Wimmer scored Demma from second with a play at the plate.
 
UWO responded with two singles and a run scored in the top of the third to tie the game. An inning later, a lead-off double led to an RBI sacrifice squeeze bunt to give the Titans a 2-1 lead. Breanna Roberts went just four innings when she was replaced by Bradley.
 
The Pios had another opportunity to walk-off in the bottom of the seventh. Wimmer singled with two outs, followed by a Bridget Rath bunted single that advanced Wimmer to third. Harshbarger was hit by a pitch to load the bases, but Sierra Grubor popped up to end the game.
 
The Pioneers will make a quick road trip to UW-Whitewater on Monday, March 22 for a 3/5 PM doubleheader. The Pios defeated the Warhawks to start the season by a score of 1-7.