Carthage 7, Augustana 5
Augustana 4, Carthage 1
KENOSHA, Wis. - The Carthage softball team hosted the Augustana Vikings in a CCIW doubleheader. The Firebirds used a five-run sixth inning to come from behind and earn the win in the opener, before a three-run surge late in game two would allow the Vikings to earn the win in the finale.



GAME 1

The Vikings jumped out to an early 2-0 lead with a home run in the top of the first inning. An RBI double, an RBI groundout, and an RBI single to center field would plate three more runs in the third and give the Vikings a 5-0 lead. 

Abby Wierzbicki got the Firebirds on the board in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI single to left field, scoring Olivia Hristov and Hana Adler on the play. The Firebirds ended the fourth trailing 5-2.

In the bottom of the sixth, Sarah Bennett singled to left field, bringing Hristov in for the second time in the game. Wierzbicki then singled to center field, scoring pinch runner Kiley Lamb and cutting the deficit to 5-4. A double down the left field line from Rylee Johnson would score Bennett and Wierzbicki and slingshot Carthage into their first lead of the game. A triple from Gwen Hendrick would bring home Johnson and conclude the scoring for the opening game with Carthage on top 7-5.

Hristov earned the win in relief and improved to 3-1 on the season. 

GAME 2

Both sides held each other scoreless through the first three and a half innings of play in the second game. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Augustana broke onto the scoreboard with a home run to left center field.

The Firebirds tied the game in the top of the sixth, as Clare Rettler bunted to reach first safely before coming around to score from first on a throwing error.

The Vikings found themselves in a bases loaded, two out situation in the bottom of the sixth. The Vikings cleared the bases on a double to left field and secured the 4-1 victory.


 

• Hristov went 3-5 at the plate with 2 runs. In the pitcher's circle, she threw a combined 10.1 innings, allowing 4 runs and tallying 4 strikeouts.
• Rettler went 2-6 with a stolen base

The Firebirds (15-9) return to action on Sunday, April 14 as Carthage travels to Waukesha to take on Carroll in a CCIW doubleheader. Action begins at 3 p.m. Carthage softball returns to Wiers Family Stadium and Barbara Madrigrano Field on April 16 against North Central (IL). For more information, visit athletics.carthage.edu.