ROSEMONT, ILL.—The 2019 regular season finale gave the Carthage College softball team their toughest test in #6 Illinois Wesleyan University at the Rosemont Dome in Rosemont, Illinois on Wednesday. The Titans were fed their first CCIW loss of 2019, courtesy of Carthage's seven-run second inning that gave them enough cushion in an 8-0 blowout. Carthage out-hit the Titans 7-6 in game two, but it wasn't enough as Illinois Wesleyan squeaked a 1-0 victory.
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The split secures Carthage the #2 seed in the four-team 2019 CCIW Softball Tournament that will be hosted by Illinois Wesleyan on Friday, May 3 – Saturday, May 4 in Bloomington, Illinois. First on the Lady Reds' docket is #3 seed North Central College (Ill.) on Friday, May 3 at 11:00 a.m. The other matchup will feature #4 seed Wheaton vs #1 seed Illinois Wesleyan at 1:00 p.m.
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The Lady Reds conclude their 2019 regular season 24-12, 10-6 CCIW while Illinois Wesleyan exits Wednesday with a 30-7, 15-1 CCIWÂ record.
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Lady Reds 8, Illinois Wesleyan 0 (Five Innings)
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Six of Carthage's seven second-inning runs occurred with two outs. The first run occurred with one out when
Kelsey Domagala doubled home
Brooke Sefcik to make the score 1-0. The Lady Reds' two-out damage began with
Madison Kern's pinch-hit, two-run single that plated
Makenzie Miller to make the score 2-0. The last five runs scored in the frame came unearned after
Alexandra Millett reached on a dropped fly ball in the outfield, where
Emmily Zinkiewicz and
Courtney Polanski scored on the play to widen the margin to 4-0.
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Carthage, who registered 16 plate appearances in the second inning, ended their damage with RBI-singles from
Ellie Bernero (two runs) and Domagala that widened their margin to 7-0.
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Carthage added another run in the third inning when
Naomi Alonzo's bases-loaded groundout drove-in Polanski (reached on error) from third to put the eight-run mercy rule in effect at 8-0.
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Lady Reds pitcher
Stefanie Guercio was nothing short of sensational as she allowed just two hits, two walks and struckout six batters. Brea Walker surrendered 11 hits in the pitching circle for the Titans. Domagala went 3-for-3 at the plate for Carthage.
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Illinois Wesleyan 1, Lady Reds 0
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The Titans touched Carthage for their lone run of the game in the first inning, which proved to be enough in a 1-0 victory.
Danielle Koziczkowski and
Naomi Alonzo each tallied a pair of hits for Carthage.
Madison Kern went the distance in the pitching loss for the Lady Reds, where she allowed six hits, one run and one walk.
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Madie Monk registered the pitching win for Illinois Wesleyan before Ally Wiegnand came in for the 1 1/3 inning save.
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