Carthage 11, Concordia Chicago 3 F/5
Carthage 6, Concordia Chicago 2
KENOSHA, Wis. - The Carthage softball team hosted the Concordia University Chicago Cougars on Wednesday afternoon. The Firebirds got off to a strong start, winning the opening game by run rule in five innings, and then defeating the Cougars for a second time in the finale.



GAME 1

The Firebirds jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first inning, as Peyton Kryza hit an RBI double to center field to score Clare Rettler. Maddie Conway extended the early lead with an RBI single to bring home Gwen Hendrick and Kryza and give the Firebirds a 3-0 lead. Later in the inning, Kristina Chronos singled to left field to score Olivia Hristov. In her second at bat of the inning, Rettler hit an infield single to score Abby Wierazbicki and put the Firebirds up 5-0 after one inning.

In the bottom of the third inning, Rylee Johnson got the offense going again with a double to left center, scoring Wierzbicki on the play. Kryza doubled to left field to score Wierzbicki and Rettler and extend the Carthage lead to 8-0.

The Cougars found the scoreboard in the top of the fourth inning with a two-run home run to bring the score to 8-2. The Firebirds answered right back in the bottom half of the inning, as an error plated Carthage's ninth run of the game. A double from Johnson would bring home Wierzbicki and Hristov to extend the lead to 11-2. The Cougars would get one run back in the fifth, but it would not be enough to prevent the run rule from being applied and giving Carthage an early victory.

Emma Faubel earned the victory and moved to 4-3 on the season.

GAME 2

The Firebirds offense wasted no time scoring in the second game, as Izzy Hernandez hit into a fielder's choice to score Hendrick in the first inning. The Cougars evened the score in the top of the second with an RBI single up the middle. 

Chronos gave the Firebirds back the lead in the fourth inning with an RBI single that scored Conway to make the score 2-1 in favor of the Firebirds. The Cougars did not back down, tying the game again in the top of the fifth. The Firebirds answered right back in the bottom of the fifth, as Wierzbicki used an RBI single to bring home Hernandez and Hana Adler. A double from Johnson would bring home Wierzbicki and Conway to give the Firebirds a victory and a final score of 6-2.

Conway earned the win after pitching a complete game and improved to 4-2 this season.



 

• Conway went a combined 4-7 at the plate with 2 RBIs and 3 runs scored
• Wierzbicki went 3-6 on the day with 4 runs and 3 RBIs
• Rettler went 5-7 with 2 runs and an RBI

The Firebirds (11-5) return to action on Tuesday, April 2 as Carthage hosts UW-Whitewater. Action begins at 2:30 p.m. at Wiers Family Stadium and Barbara Madrigrano Field. For more information, visit athletics.carthage.edu.