ELMHURST, ILL.—The Carthage College softball team opened CCIW play at Elmhurst College (DH) on Saturday afternoon. The Lady Reds couldn't generate offensive flair in a 5-0 loss to the Bluejays in game one. Pitcher
Katie Herron's complete-game effort in game two helped Carthage secure a 3-1 victory over Elmhurst.
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The split gives Carthage a 10-8, 1-1 CCIW record while the Bluejays exited Saturday with a 9-9, 1-1 CCIW mark.
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Elmhurst 5, Lady Reds 0
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The second inning saw Elmhurst capitalize on a couple Lady Reds errors, which resulted in their 2-0 lead.
Hailey Rothstein spoiled Bluejays pitcher Emily Despains' no-hit bid when she led off the fifth inning with a single. That didn't result in runs as Mikayla Melone registered a two-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning to push Elmhurst's advantage to 4-0.
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Stephanie Sturino led off the sixth inning with a single for the Bluejays. She advanced to third base off Lauren Rismondo's single before Val Perrelli's base hit brought her home to widen Elmhurst's advantage to 5-0.
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Emmily Zinkiewicz,
Kayla Uhwat-Vicicondi, Rothstein and
Ellie Bernero each contributed a single to Carthage's offense. Lady Reds pitcher
Amy Goldsmith struck out six batters in the complete-game effort.
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Lady Reds 3, Elmhurst 1
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The Bluejays set the tone with a first-inning run before Carthage responded with a two-run second inning. Uhwat and Rothstein began the second inning with a single and walk before they scored.
Rachel Fanella's single to right field sent Rothstein to third base, and scored Uhwat to tie the game 1-1. Rothstein touched home plate off
Brooke Sefcik's sacrifice fly to give Carthage a 2-1 advantage.
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Bernero ignited the Lady Reds with a sixth-inning double before pinch runner
Shannon Walsh took over. Walsh later scored on Sefick's double to center field to push Carthage's lead to 3-1.
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Seven Lady Reds tallied a hit in the contest. Herron registered eight strikeouts and surrendered one run (none earned) in the complete-game pitching victory for the Lady Reds.
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Carthage will return to action on Monday, April 3 when they host North Park University (DH) at 3:00 p.m.