Game #1 Box Score
Game #2 Box Score

The Carthage College softball team (12-7, 4-2 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin) split a Tuesday, April 13 doubleheader with CCIW-opponent and defending-conference-champion Illinois Wesleyan University (18-8, 4-2 CCIW) at the Illinois Wesleyan Softball Field in Bloomington, Ill. Illinois Wesleyan won the opening game, 3-0 in 10 innings, but Carthage took the nightcap, 4-0.

The first game was a brilliant pitcher's duel between Carthage's Kelsey Epping and Illinois Wesleyan's Christy Engel, with scoring threats few and far between. Carthage's Alyssa Schrader was stranded at second in the second inning after doubling. The Titans loaded the bases in the sixth, but Alyssa Vorel fouled out, and Kris Lee struck out swinging to end the threat.

Lady Reds pinch-runner Caris Alan got to third base in the eighth on a bunt and an infield grounder, but Stephanie Hueramo grounded out to shortstop to end the inning. Carthage put runners at first and second in the ninth with two outs, but Alyssa Schrader struck out to end that scoring threat.

With one out in the 10th, Polich walked and Engel reached on an infield error. The next batter, Allison Ward, launched a walk-off three run homer for the 3-0 IWU win. Pitcher Christy Engel started the game for the Titans and stopped Carthage on three hits and two walks over eight and two-thirds innings, while striking out eight batters. Lauren James (5-0) entered the game in the ninth and was credited with the win. Carthage hurler Kelsey Epping (8-2) took the tough loss. Epping allowed three runs, two earned on five hits and four walks over nine and one-third innings, while striking a career-high 17 batters.

In the nightcap, Carthage took a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Alyssa Schrader singled with out and advanced to second on a wild pitch. With two out, Stephanie Schafer reached on an error, with Schrader advancing to third. Schafer stole second base, and Jacquelyn Tassone walked to load the bases. Jenny Burke followed with a two-run single down the leftfield line to score both Schrader and Schafer. The Lady Reds added two runs in the third for a 4-0 lead. Stephanie Noel doubled with one out. With two outs, Schrader hit a two-run home run to leftfield, her sixth of the year. Carthage pitcher Krystina Leazer (4-1) twirled a gem, blanking the Titans on four hits and one walk over seven innings, while striking out eight batters. Starting pitcher Katie Bruins (4-2) took the loss. On Sunday, April 18, the Lady Reds play host to conference-opponent Augustana College (Ill.) in 1 p.m. twinbill at the Carthage Softball Field in Kenosha, Wis.