KENOSHA, Wis. - Though the Carthage Firebirds softball team's three-game win streak ended after a game one loss this afternoon, the team rebounded in a big way to split a conference doubleheader with North Park University.

Carthage's Emma Faubel, paired with huge performances at the plate from Izzy Hernandez and Gwen Hendrick, propelled the Firebirds to victory in game two; the first-year pitcher brought a perfect game into the fifth inning, retiring the first 12 Vikings she faced en route to a complete game - the first of her young career. 





Game One

• Final Score: North Park 4, Carthage 3
• Location: Dr. James L. Santarelli Sports Complex - Kenosha, Wisconsin
• Records: Carthage 11-18 (6-6 CCIW), North Park 15-17-1 (7-4 CCIW)

Game Two

• Final Score: Carthage 6, North Park 1 
• Location: Dr. James L. Santarelli Sports Complex - Kenosha, Wisconsin
• Records: Carthage 12-18 (7-6 CCIW), North Park 15-18-1 (7-5 CCIW)

Game One:

• The Firebirds scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the second inning, as Rylee Johnson singled in Gwen Hendrick. 
• North Park equalized in the top of the fourth, scoring a run on an RBI single to tie the game at 1-1. 
• A double down the left field line from Sarah Bennett scored Kiley Lamb, who pinch ran for Olivia Hristov, giving Carthage a 2-1 lead in the middle innings. 
• Consecutive walks with one out set North Park up for success in the top of fifth; a two-RBI double put the Vikings out in front 3-2 before an RBI single doubled North Park's lead to two. Carthage trailed 4-2 going into its half of the fifth. 
• Carthage played small ball, setting Gwen Hendrick up with a golden opportunity to chisel into North Park's lead. The first-year star delivered, singling in classmate Clare Rettler to halve Carthage's deficit from two to one. 
• North Park held serve in the circle, putting Carthage away in order in the bottom of the seventh to steal a game one victory. 

Game Two:

• After the first two innings went without much ado, Carthage capitalized on some lackluster defense from North Park in the top of the third to generate base runners. Gracie Vlach reached on an error and advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch. The first-year infielder took third on a passed ball, putting a runner on third with only one out in the inning. After Kiley Lamb fell victim to a strike out, Izzy Hernandez tripled to right field to score Gracie Vlach; the triple was the second of the season for Hernandez. 
• First-year pitcher Emma Faubel was simply incredible for the game's first four innings, retiring her first 12 batters in order, thus carrying a perfect game into the fifth inning. 
• Carthage's offense exploded in the top half of the fifth inning, scoring five runs to generate sizable distance between the two teams. Izzy Hernandez tallied another RBI to open the scoring, singling in Clare Rettler, before a bases-clearing double from first-year sensation Gwen Hendrick ballooned the lead. Hernandez and Hendrick put Carthage ahead 5-0 before an RBI single from Cynthia Ibarra gave the Firebirds a commanding 6-0 lead. 
• Though North Park generated base runners in each of the game's last three innings, including a steal of home in the sixth to eliminate any chance of a shutout, Faubel allowed no significant damage and walked away with an impressive victory. 

 

• Rylee Johnson saw the ball well in game one, going 3/3 with an RBI; Johnson drew a walk, recorded a hit, and scored a run in game two. First-year outfielder Clare Rettler also tallied multiple hits (two) and scored a run in game one before duplicating that stat line in game two. 
• Gwen Hendrick and Sarah Bennett each drove in a runner in game one, as the tandem each went 1/3 at the plate. Hendrick also scored a run in the defeat. In game two, Hendrick delivered the back-breaker, clearing the bases with a thunderous double to center field. Hendrick scored another run in the latter game as well. 
• Maddie Conway went seven innings in game one, striking out five while surrendering only six hits. 
• Izzy Hernandez's 11-game hitting streak came to an end in game one, but the slugger began her quest for a new one in game two. Hernandez went 3/4 at the plate with a run scored and a pair of RBIs for the Firebirds. 
• Emma Faubel was scintillating in the circle in Carthage's game two victory, going the distance while allowing only a single run. Faubel generated plenty of swings and misses, striking out four Vikings (tying a career high), and didn't suffer in terms of command - the first-year pitcher didn't allow a single walk. As previously mentioned, Faubel brought a perfect game into the fifth inning, retiring the first 12 batters she faced. The young pitcher threw her first career complete game and picked up her first career win. 

 

• The Firebirds, who have now won four of their last five contests, host Millikin University on Sunday, April 30. The conference doubleheader is set to begin at noon.