Waukesha, Wis. – The Carroll University softball team swept the Carthage Firebirds on Friday evening at Kilgour Field for the final home regular-season series of the season. Carroll came back from down one run to win 8-4 in the first game and shut out the Firebirds in game two 4-0.
 
The Pioneers (21-17, 17-13) have won 20 plus games for the fifth time in the last seven seasons. Carroll yet again collected twenty total hits, including 12 in game one. Mathena Higgins finished a combined six for eight with two runs and three RBI, including a double. Lauren Harshbarger added two doubles while Claudia Spencer contributed one as well. Abby Wimmer, Maria Mundt, Sierra Grubor, and Spencer all collected stolen bases on the day. Amanda Osterhus moved up higher in the all-time NCAA ranks with her 700^th career strikeout in the second inning of game one.
 
Game 1
Carroll got off on a hot start with Higgins' leadoff single to left field and advanced to third on a bunt single by Grubor. Kaylee Learman loaded the bases after being hit by a pitch, and Allyssa Demma singled to put the first run on the board. Lauren Harshbarger added to the lead with an RBI single of her own to bring the lead to 2-0.
 
Osterhus tallied her 700^th strikeout in the top of the second getting the batter looking. Osterhus allowed an unearned run in the top of the third, scoring on a wild pitch before getting out of the inning with another strikeout.
 
Harshbarger came through to extend the lead again with her first double of the day to score Demma in the bottom of the third. A half-inning later, Carthage poured in three runs to take a 4-3 lead off of Osterhus. Roberts replaced Osterhus with the bases loaded and allowed only one hit before getting out of the inning.
 
Carroll responded by scoring Learman on wild pitches and passed balls. Harshbarger connected again with a double and scored moments later from Spencer's RBI double. Abby Wimmer collected an RBI too with a single up the middle. With runners on the corners, Mundt forced a throw to second on a stolen base attempt and Wimmer stole home as the throw was in the air. Higgins brought in Mundt from second on her third hit of the game.
 
Roberts went the rest of the way not allowing a hit after appearing in the fourth, walking two, and striking out two for the win.
 
Game 2
Carroll jumped on the board right away with Demma scoring Grubor on a groundout RBI. Grace Bradley took to the circle in the bottom of the first by striking out the first two, walking the next three, and forcing a ground out to third base to end the inning.
 
Higgins singled up the middle, and Grubor singled and advanced to second on a stolen base to put them both in scoring position. After a 2-0 count, Carthage intentionally walked Learman to load the bases. Demma was walked on a seven pitch at-bat to score Higgins and tally another RBI. Demma moved the score to 2-0.
 
Bradley's no-hit bid went into the bottom of the fourth before allowing a leadoff single. Bradley allowed one more hit before getting out of the inning. Harshbarger led off with a single but was caught in a huge pickle with Spencer to record the first out of the inning. Mundt was hit by a pitch in the head but appeared okay the rest of the game. Higgins scored both Mundt and Spencer on a double to left-center, but was thrown out at third trying to stretch it into a triple.
 
Bradley picked up the win and the first complete-game shutout of her career.
 
Carroll closes out the regular season tomorrow at North Park. The Pios swept the Vikings at home earlier this season.