WAUKESHA, Wis. – The Carroll University softball team finished with the most conference victories in a traditional 16 game season this season, coming away with an 11-5 record and the no. 3 seed in the 2022 CCIW Softball Conference Tournament. Head coach
Amy Gradecki says this team is different due to the talent and depth this season, "We are a talented team up and down the lineup and have an extremely deep dugout" says Gradecki. The Pioneers are making their third appearance in the tournament since joining the conference in 2017.
The Pioneers finished with a 7-3 record at home, including 7-1 in CCIW games this season. Offensively in 16 games, Carroll led the CCIW with 139 hits for a .303 batting average and the third most runs with 77. The Pio pitching staff finished with a combined 2.83 ERA with 81 strikeouts, allowing 40 earned runs in 111.1 innings pitched.
Madison Wagner and
Kaylee Learman finished inside the top five in the CCIW in batting average, hits, and RBI. Though the slugging power hasn't been there this year for the team, Wagner doesn't let that deter them heading into postseason play "Those base hits come into play when we need them the most," says Wagner. "Hitting is very contagious for our team, and the way we have been successful is working together and cheering each other on in some stressful situations. We scored those runs in the past by everyone doing their job at the plate when they need to, and we plan to bring that mentality into the conference tournament."
Carroll begins the CCIW tournament on Thursday, May 5 against Illinois Wesleyan at 2 PM. Against the Titans this season, Carroll finished 1-1 in Bloomington. After the offense fell silent in game one, falling 0-8 in five innings, Carroll rebounded with a 6-3 victory. The Pios jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the bottom of the third and held on to the lead for the remainder of the contest. Four Pioneers recorded two hits, while
Bridget Rath led with two RBI.
Breanna Roberts picked up the victory allowing just two earned runs on five hits over 4.1 inning pitched, leading to
Riley Pavelka's second save of the season in the remaining 2.2 innings of work. "In our first game, the team might have been a little tight and nervous," says Gradecki. "The second game they loosened up, hand fun, and played their game. It makes a big difference in such an emotional sport."
The 2022 CCIW Softball Tournament will be played at Workman Family Softball Field on campus of Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois Friday through Saturday, May 5-7. With a win, the Pioneers will face the winner of Millikin vs North Central/Carthage on Friday at 10 AM. With a loss, Carroll will be fighting to remain in the tournament with the loser of North Central vs Carthage Thursday night at 6 PM.
Tickets for the 2022 CCIW Women's Lacrosse Championship will be available for purchase on site. Entry for adults is $10, Seniors, Students, and Children ages 6-14 are $5, and current CCIW students with a valid institution ID card are admitted free of charge. Live results and video will be available at gopios.com/sb.
