KENOSHA, WIS.—The Carthage College softball team (13-13, 3-1 CCIW) will embark on a pair of road doubleheaders this week, which will start at North Central College (Ill.) on Tuesday, April 17 at 3:00 p.m. The Lady Reds will conclude their week at Millikin University on Saturday, April 21 at 1:00 p.m.
 
Carthage enters the week with a CCIW-best 2.44 earned run average, powered by Ellie Bernero's 0.95 mark over 37.0 innings pitched. Stefanie Guercio paces the Carthage pitching staff with 71 strikeouts over 61.0 innings of work while Alexandra Millett commands the offense with a .337 (28-83) batting average.
 
ABOUT NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE (ILL.) (18-2, 4-0 CCIW)
 
The Cardinals' lone blemishes on their 2018 schedule occurred against St. Mary's College (Ind.) (6-0) on March 24, and Franklin College (5-3) on March 27. Their CCIW victories came via sweeps over Millikin University (5-4, 5-1) and Elmhurst College (10-6, 9-0).
 
North Central commands all CCIW teams in batting average (.354), doubles per game (2.60), scoring (6.75) and slugging percentage (.504). Emily Miller ranks fifth among NCAA Division III softball players with a .565 batting average, and ranks seventh with a .615 on-base percentage. Jenna Trojinar (.423) and Samantha Phelps (.409) round out the Cardinals' .400+ hitters. Their run support for pitcher Jennifer Yager helped her attain an 8-0 win-loss record. Yager sports a 1.90 ERA and 16 strikeouts over 55.1 innings pitched.  Sarah Esposito leads the pitching staff with a 1.80 ERA over 35.0 innings of work.
 
Jim Kulawiak is in his 29^th season as North Central (Ill.) head softball coach. The Lady Reds own a 28-56 all-time record against North Central.
 
ABOUT MILLIKIN UNIVERSITY (14-10, 3-5 CCIW)
 
The Big Blue, who faces University of Chicago (4/17) and Greenville University (4/18) before their bout with Carthage, swept Wheaton College (8-1, 7-0) on April 13 and defeated Augustana College (13-3) on April 11. The defending CCIW Regular Season Champions enter the week with a CCIW-best and 13^th-ranked 0.50 double plays per game.
 
Taylor Jordan leads the Big Blue offense with a .400 (26-65) batting average while Gracie Brookens commands the pitching staff with a 2.00 ERA and 17 strikeouts over 73.2 innings pitched.
 
The Big Blue are led by co-head coaches Whitney Sowers and Katie Tenboer. Carthage carries a 37-28 all-time record against Millikin.