Decatur, Ill. – The Carroll University softball team avoided elimination on Saturday afternoon against the no. eight-seeded Augustana Vikings. Carroll shutout Augie, winning in a decisive 6-0 victory. This is softball's first CCIW Tournament win in program history.
 
The Pioneers (22-20, 17-15 CCIW) got the bats working again bringing in six runs off nine total hits. Allyssa Demma and Abby Wimmer both collected extra-base hits. Sierra Grubor finished 3-4 with a run scored and an RBI. Amanda Osterhus tossed her third no-hitter of this season, and sixth of her career. The 2021 CCIW Pitcher of the Year went seven complete innings, striking out nine and walking five on 124 pitches thrown.
 
Osterhus faced trouble in the bottom of the second, loading the bases with one out off two walks and a hit by pitch. Osterhus struck out the next batter on three pitches and forced a ground out on an 0-2 count to end the inning.
 
Carroll scored all its runs in the top of the third starting with Maria Mundt's lead-off single. Mathena Higgins forced a seven-pitch walk, and Sierra Grubor scored Mundt from second on a bunt single that turned into a fielding error. A Kaylee Learman RBI fielder's choice scored Higgins, and Demma's RBI double down the right-field line scored Grubor to make the lead 3-0. Lauren Harshbarger loaded the bases on a seven-pitch walk, and Claudia Spencer advanced the runners and picked up an RBI on an error by third base. Wimmer's two-RBI double scored both Demma and Harshbarger. The Pios picked up two more outs after they batted around in the inning.
 
Carroll will continue in the CCIW Softball Tournament next week Thursday, May 13. The Pioneers will play the third-seeded Carthage Firebirds back in Millikin at 3 PM. The winner of the game will advance to Friday, the loser will end its season.