Waukesha, Wis. – The Carroll University softball team survive and advance deeper into the 2021 CCIW Softball Tournament. The no. four seeded Pioneers defeated the no. three seeded Carthage Firebirds on Thursday afternoon in Kenosha. The Pioneers came back after being down a run early to win the ball game 4-1.
 
The Pioneers (23-20, 17-15 CCIW) collected its fourth win against the Firebirds this season thanks to Kaylee Learman's go-ahead two-run blast in the fifth inning. Learman finished with two hits, two-RBI, and a run scored, setting records for both hits and RBI in a single season. Abby Wimmer collected an additional two hits and scored a run as well. Amanda Osterhus collected win number 13 and second of the tournament with her two hit, one earned run, seven strikeout game.
 
The Pioneers surrendered Carthage's lone run early, after a lead off walk, the batter eventually reached third. A high fly ball that drifted foul, was hauled in by Maria Mundt, but the runner tagged from third and scored on the play. The Pioneers struggled to get momentum to swing its way, leaving runners stranded on base after collecting hits and reaching base.
 
After a nine-pitch battle, Mathena Higgins led off the bottom of the fifth with a walk. Sierra Gurbor sacrificed her at bat with a bunt to advance Higgins to second. Learman unleashed on a 2-2 pitch, to deep center field for her eighth of the season.
 
Carroll added two more security runs in the bottom of the sixth, with the help of Higgins' sacrifice fly to left field, Wimmer was able to tag up and score from third. Sierra Grubor reached on a throwing error by third base, scoring Megan Funk from third the next at-bat. Osterhus finished the game three up three down, striking out the last batter.  
 
The Pioneers will have a rematch with the fifth seeded North Central Cardinals on Friday afternoon in Decatur, Ill. With a win, the Pios will play the loser of the Illinois Wesleyan vs Millikin Friday evening.