Decatur, Ill. – The Carroll University softball team finished 1-1 on Saturday against the Millikin Big Blue by scores of 2-1 in game one, and 5-6 in game two.
The Pioneers (4-4, 1-1 CCIW) collected 15 total hits, including nine in game two. Freshman
Bridget Rath finished 3-6 with a run and a walk, while
Kaylee Learman and
Claudia Spencer both had two RBI days.
Sierra Grubor and
Allyssa Demma both contributed doubles, and
Mathena Higgins and
Maria Mundt picked up stolen bases in game one.
Game 1
Amanda Osterhus avenged her loss at UW-Whitewater earlier this week with a stellar outing. Osterhus pitched a complete game, giving up three hits, one earned run, one walk and striking out ten.
Spencer started the scoring for the Pioneers with a single to left-center field that scored
Lauren Harshbarger from second. Carroll threatened more with a Grubor double down the left-field line, but a popup ended the inning.
The Big Blue added its run late in the bottom of the fifth, with a two-out RBI double. Shortly after, the Pioneers loaded second and third with one out. Rath laid down a fielder's choice bunt, but Lindsey Rost was called out at the plate.
Carroll scored its go-ahead run with an RBI groundout from Harshbarger that scored Mundt from third on the throw to first. Higgins tried to take advantage of a passed ball stealing home but was called out at the plate. Osterhus ended the inning and the game with a strikeout and two popups.
Game 2
Carroll responded after Millikin took a one up lead after the Big Blue's first inning. Rath singled, Demma doubled, and
Abby Wimmer walked to load the bases for Mundt, who singled through the left side. Higgins hit one to the same spot for her own RBI, and soon after Learman singled to third base to score Mundt to take a 3-1 lead.
The Pioneers added two more in the top of the fourth, thanks to Learman's second RBI of the game to score Higgins from second. Spencer added a sac-fly to deep right field to score Harshbarger and to take a 5-1 lead. The Big blue got one back with an RBI back to the shortstop and threatened for more with the bases loaded.
Breanna Roberts got out of the jam with a strikeout to end the inning. Roberts went four innings allowing two runs off five hits but struck out six.
Grace Bradley replaced Roberts to start the bottom of the fifth and pitched well in her first two innings, allowing only one walk and one hit with a Pio 5-3-6 double play worked in. Millikin began its final frame with a leadoff triple to right-center. After a bunted single and a stolen base, Millikin added two runs quickly. With runners on first and third, Bradley was replaced by
Rachel Piontek. Two more runs scored for Millikin, giving them the walk-off win after a four-run inning.
Carroll will return Sunday, March 28 in another road game at Illinois Wesleyan, for a 12 PM and 2 PM doubleheader. Both the Pioneers and Titans have received votes this year in the NFCA DIII Coaches Poll.
