CHICAGO, Ill. — The Carroll University softball team earned a split on Friday afternoon at North Park, opening the doubleheader with a 5–1 victory before falling 12–2 in the second game at Holmgren Field.
Game 1 – Carroll 5, North Park 1
Carroll set the tone early in the opener, using timely hitting and a dominant performance in the circle to secure the win.
After North Park scored an unearned run in the first inning, the Pioneers answered in the second. Jennavieve Andler delivered an RBI single to tie the game, and Kali Stanchina followed with an RBI double to give Carroll a 2–1 lead.
The Pioneers broke the game open in the fifth inning. Grace O'Connor drove in two runs with a triple to right-center, scoring Gianna Buske and Emma Shaw. Carroll added another run later in the inning to extend the lead to 5–1.
In the circle, Makayla Wall was outstanding, tossing a complete game while allowing just one unearned run on six hits. Wall struck out seven and did not issue a walk, keeping North Park off balance throughout the contest.
Game 2 – North Park 12, Carroll 2
North Park jumped out to an early lead in the second game, scoring five runs in the first inning and adding runs in each of the next three frames to take control of the game.
Carroll responded in the second inning with two runs. Kaylee Rutzen drove in a run with a single down the right-field line, and Abigail Curtis followed with an RBI groundout to cut the deficit to 5–2.
Despite continued efforts at the plate, Carroll was unable to close the gap as North Park added insurance runs in the middle innings. The Vikings finished with 13 hits in the contest.
Carroll totaled four hits in game two, led by Alexa Gatz, who went 2-for-3, and Madison Hoagland, who added a double. The Pioneers utilized multiple pitchers in the circle as North Park built its lead.
Carroll moved to 16–13 overall and 3–3 in CCIW play following the split as the Pioneers continue conference competition tomorrow back at Kilgour field for senior day as they host Augustana starting at 1pm.
