DECATUR, Ill. -- Game one

The Carroll University softball team put together a spirited comeback, scoring three runs in the final two innings, but fell short to Buena Vista by a score of 4-6. Junior Breanna Roberts (0-1) started and took the loss in the circle for Carroll. Junior Grace Bradley was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going one shutout inning without allowing a hit.

Senior Kaylee Learman led the way offensively for the Pioneers, going 1-for-2 in the ballgame with a double and an RBI. Freshman Kiana Johnson added an RBI single in the sixth inning to charge the Pioneer bats. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Pioneers (0-1) got on the board immediately, starting their scoring with one run in the top of the first inning. Carroll got on the board thanks to Learman's RBI double with two outs.

The Pioneers lost the lead they built in the first, but got back on the board in the sixth trailing 6-1. Carroll picked up two runs when a single from Johnson brought home junior Mathena Higgins and junior Lyndsey Rost, which tightened the Beavers lead to 6-3.

Carroll kept the Beavers off the scoreboard before narrowing the gap to 6-4 in the seventh. The Pioneers scored once on a run-scoring single off the bat of sophomore Sydney Raddeman. The ballgame ended with that seventh inning rally falling short.

GAME NOTES

» Carroll's highest scoring inning was the sixth, when it pushed two runs across.
» Carroll pitchers faced 28 Buena Vista hitters in the game, allowing six ground balls and 11 fly balls while striking out one.
» Learman led the Pioneers at the plate, going 1-for-2 with a double and an RBI.
» Buena Vista was led offensively by sophomore Murillo, who went 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and three RBIs.
» Senior Gross led the Beavers pitching staff, throwing seven innings of four-run ball.
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DECATUR, Ill. -- Game Two
The Carroll University softball team needed eight innings to get the job done, but secured the 4-3 extra-innings win, walking it off with sophomore Madison Palasz at the plate to claim victory over the Franklin Grizzlies Sunday.

Freshman Andrea Kuhne (1-0) got the win out of the bullpen for Carroll (1-1). The right-hander went four shutout innings, giving up four hits, no walks and striking out two.

Sophomore Bridget Rath led the way offensively for the Pioneers, going 3-for-4 in the ballgame with a triple. Palasz put together a noteworthy effort as well, going 1-for-3 with a double and two RBIs. Senior Madison Wagner also contributed, going 1-for-4 for Carroll with a double and an RBI.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Pioneers were trailing 1-0 in the second inning when they first put runs on the board. Rath came across to score the lone run of the inning for Carroll  and get them on the board.

The Grizzlies broke the tie and re-took the lead heading into the fifth inning, when the Pioneers got back on the scoreboard. Carroll managed to push across two runs in the inning, which evened the score at 3-3.

The game remained tied until the bottom of the eighth, when Carroll  walked it off when Learman came across to score.

GAME NOTES

» Rath had three base hits in the game for Carroll (WI).
» Carroll's highest scoring inning was the fifth, when it pushed two runs across.
» Carroll pitchers faced 35 Franklin hitters in the game, allowing 11 ground balls and six fly balls while striking out six.
» Rath led the Pioneers at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a triple.