RIVER FOREST, Ill. - After falling in game one on a walk-off homerun in extra innings, Carthage bounced back in a massive way in game two of a non-conference doubleheader in Illinois. Carthage recorded season-highs in runs (13) and hits (17) in a 13-4 victory over Concordia Chicago, using a balanced attack offensively to secure the win. 





Game One

• Final Score: Concordia Chicago 5, Carthage 3
• Location: River Forest, Illinois.  
• Records: Carthage 4-8, Concordia Chicago 5-7

Game Two

• Final Score: Carthage 13, Concordia Chicago 4
• Location: River Forest, Illinois.  
• Records: Carthage 5-8, Concordia Chicago 5-8

Game One:

• Despite putting runners on second and third with only one out in the second inning, Carthage couldn't convert. Concordia Chicago capitalized in the bottom half of the inning, going ahead 1-0 on an RBI single. 
• Izzy Hernandez knotted the score at 1-1 in the top of the third with an RBI single, scoring Clare Rettler. 
• The Cougars detached themselves from the tie, taking a two-run lead courtesy of a two-run double in the bottom of the third inning. 
• Once again, though, Izzy Hernandez had an answer. The veteran slugger drilled a two-run home run to left-center to tie the game at three runs apiece, scoring Gracie Vlach. 
• After surrendering a few runs early, Carthage's Maddie Conway settled into the game. Following the third inning, the Firebirds' ace retired 14-consecutive Cougars leading into extra innings. 
• Each team put a baserunner on in the eighth inning but failed to convert, sending game one into the ninth. Clare Rettler singled with a bunt to the left side of the infield to give Carthage a base runner, but Rettler couldn't advance past second base. 
• Concordia Chicago took game one 5-3 after hitting a two-run walk-off home run to left-center. 

Game Two:

• Carthage got out to a strong 3-0 lead after one, with a two-run homerun from Maddie Conway and an RBI single from Kiley Lamb putting the Firebirds on the board. 
• The Firebirds tacked on another run in the top half of the second, as Izzy Hernandez continued her stellar day with an RBI single. 
• Sarah Bennett doubled in Kristina Chronos in the third to extend Carthage's lead to 5-0. 
• The Cougars clawed back in the bottom of the third inning, scoring three runs to chisel its deficit to two. The Firebirds responded, however, with two more runs in the fourth to go back in front by four. 
• The road team added a number of insurance runs in the fifth to salt the game away, going ahead 13-3. Carthage scored six runs on three singles, two doubles, and a homerun against Concordia Chicago. 
• Concordia managed to score one more run in the fifth, but Carthage ran away with a resounding 13-4 win. The Firebirds recorded season-highs in runs (13) and hits (17) in game two. 

 

• Izzy Hernandez had a monstrous game one, going 3-for-5 at the plate with a home run and three RBIs. Hernandez added another RBI base hit in game two, singling in Clare Rettler in the second inning. 
• Clare Rettler continues to get on base at a high clip, recording two hits, a walk, and a run in game one. Rettler went 2-4 in game two and scored a pair of runs. 
• Rylee Johnson also had a solid day at the plate, tallying two hits. 
• Maddie Conway had a phenomenal game two at the plate, going 3-4 with three RBIs and three runs scored - including a two-run homerun in the first inning. 
• Kiley Lamb drove in four runners in game two, going 2-4. Lamb's four runs batted in established a new single-game career high. 
• First-year outfielder Gwen Hendrick had a really nice day at the plate, recording two hits and three RBIs in Carthage's game two victory. Hendrick also walked and scored a run. 
• Kristina Chronos went 3-3 at the plate in game two, scoring three runs and recording a walk and an RBI. Gracie Vlach also recorded two hits in the latter game of the doubleheader. 

 

• Weather permitting, softball will play its home and conference opener this Sunday, April 2 against the Carroll Pioneers. The doubleheader will begin at noon and will be played at Dr. James L. Santarelli Sports Complex in Kenosha.