KENOSHA, WIS.—Four opponents will await the Carthage College softball team this week. The Lady Reds will play back-to-back doubleheaders at the Carthage Softball Field as they host North Central College on Tuesday, April 19 at 3:00 p.m., and UW-Oshkosh on Wednesday, April 20 at 3:00 p.m. Carthage will return to the road on Thursday, April 21 at Ripon College at 3:00 p.m. before they close the week at Illinois Wesleyan on Saturday, April 23 at 1:00 p.m.
 
ABOUT NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE (14-10, 4-0 CCIW)
 
The Cardinals have won five of their last six games. Their only loss in that span came in a 2-1 decision to the University of Chicago on April 16. North Central's undefeated-CCIW record includes sweeps over Millikin University and Elmhurst College.
 
Outfielder Jenna Trojniar paces the Cardinal sluggers with a .413 batting average, nine doubles, three home runs and a .613 slugging percentage. Shortstop Samantha Anderson carries a .329 batting average while infielder Rachele Belletini owns a .311 figure to round out the .300 plus hitters in the Cardinal's lineup.
 
P Andrea Starr has started 12 games in the pitching circle for the Cardinals this season. She carries a 1.69 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 91.1 innings of work this season.
 
The 2016 season is Jim Kulawiak's 28^th as North Central College head softball coach.
 
ABOUT UW-OSHKOSH (16-4, 8-0 WIAC)
 
The Titans are currently riding a nine-game win streak. Their last loss came in a 6-5 decision against Fontbonne University on March 24 at the NTC Spring Games in Clermont, Fla. 
 
UW-Oshkosh is coming off a 30-12, 12 4 WIAC season in 2015. That season was cut short with an 8-0 loss to UW-Whitewater in the WIAC Tournament on May 3. Outfielder/catcher Laura Torborg paces the Titans with a .474 batting average that includes five doubles and one home run. Freshman catcher/infielder Abby Menting carries a .460 batting average and leads the Titans with six doubles, four home runs, 24 RBI and a .778 slugging percentage.
 
Clare Robbe and Paige Giese have split time on the pitching rubber for the Titans. Giese carries a 1.07 ERA in 32.2 innings pitched while Robbe sports 21 strikeouts in 31.0 innings of work.
 
Scott Beyer is in his third season as UW-Oshkosh head softball coach.
 
ABOUT RIPON COLLEGE (2-20, 2-8 MWC)
 
The Red Hawks, a member of the Midwest Conference, are coming off a 2-1 victory over Illinois College on April 16. The Red Hawks' other victory this season came in a 4-2 decision over St. Norbert College on April 12.
 
Melanie Kobelt leads the Red Hawks with a .400 batting average (20-for-50), two home runs and three doubles. Lexi Reetz paces Ripon College with a 6.09 ERA and 34 strikeouts on the pitching rubber.
 
Jen Mueller is in her eighth season as Ripon College head softball coach.
 
ABOUT #8 ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY (23-5, 8-2 CCIW)
 
The Titans, who sit #8 in the most recent NFCA Coaches' Poll, are in the midst of a five-game win streak. Their last loss came in a 1-0 decision against Millikin University on April 13. The other CCIW defeat suffered by Illinois Wesleyan was a 7-2 margin against Augustana College on April 6.
 
Illinois Wesleyan is coming off a 36-10 season that included a trip to the NCAA Division III Regional Tournament. The Titans eliminated themselves with a 1-0 (8 inn.) loss to Alma College, and a 7-4 loss to Anderson University on May 9, 2015.
 
UT Mary Rankin is the lone Titan with a .400 plus batting average. She carries a .400 batting average and also leads Illinois Wesleyan with four home runs and 25 RBI. Jenna Noland and Mackenzie Marquis have split time on the pitching rubber this season. Noland owns a 1.44 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 77.2 innings of work. Marquis owns a 2.29 ERA and carries 74 strikeouts in 79.1 innings pitched.
 
Kat McCreery is in her third season as Illinois Wesleyan head softball coach.
 
CARTHAGE (12-12, 4-4 CCIW)
 
The Lady Reds are coming off a week that saw them finish 6-5. Katie Herron finished the week with a 2.19 ERA and 53 strikeouts. This includes a 15-strikeout performance in a 5-4 win over Millikin University on April 16, two shy of a Carthage single-game record. The Lady Reds came back with an 8-4 victory over the Big Blue in game two. Darian Pelsor's walk-off grand slam highlighted Carthage in that contest.
 
Pelsor leads the Lady Red sluggers with a .397 batting average, five home runs, eight doubles and a .718 slugging percentage. Herron carries a 2.04 ERA and 109 strikeouts in 68.2 innings of work this season. Her 109 strikeouts this season is tied for 10^th on the Carthage College single-season strikeout list.
 
WHAT'S NEXT
 
The Lady Reds will take on the University of Chicago on Monday, April 25 at 3:00 p.m. before they close the home portion of their schedule against Elmhurst College on Wednesday, April 27 at 3:00 p.m. St. Norbert College will welcome the Lady Reds for a doubleheader on Friday, April 29 at 3:00 p.m.