North Central 5, Carthage 2
Carthage 10, North Central 3
KENOSHA, Wis. - The Carthage softball team took on the North Central Cardinals in a two-game home series on Tuesday afternoon. After the Cardinals used a late rally to earn the win in the opening game, the Firebirds offense took flight and came away with a convincing win in game two.



GAME 1

The Firebirds came out swinging aggressively in the bottom of the first, with Clare Rettler beating out the throw to first base from the shortstop to be the sole runner on base. The very next play Rettler stole second base, with the throw being no match for her speed. Olivia Hristov, the sophomore from Shorewood Ill., hit some green deep into right field to push Rettler home, making the score 1-0, Firebirds. The senior pitcher, Maddie Conway, tapped a dribbler up the middle and beat the throw from the second baseman to advance Hristov home and extend the Firebirds lead 2-0 at the end of the bottom of the first. 

The Firebirds held the Cardinals scoreless until the top of the 5th where North Central's first batter in the lineup scored on a hit to right field. The Firebirds held the lead 2-1, in the bottom of the 5th. In the 6th and 7th innings, the Cardinals strung together multiple hits to advance four runners home and give the Cardinals the lead and the win with a 5-2 final score. 

Conway received the loss, making her record 8-4 on the season. 

GAME 2

North Central started right out of the gate scoring in the bottom of the first as the home team and taking an early 1-0 lead. At the top of the second, the Firebirds quickly responded with Conway crushing a line drive up the middle to left center field, advancing to second base on the throw right into scoring position. Izzy Hernandez stepped up to bat and smashed the ball over the left field fence for her second home run of the season, putting the score at  2-1, Firebirds. This was the first home run for the Firebirds in the newly renovated Wiers Family Stadium and Barbara Madrigrano Field.

The first @CarthageSball home run at Wiers Family Stadium and Barbara Madrigrano Field belongs to Izzy Hernandez!!!#FuelTheFlame pic.twitter.com/6XLJd0Apqp

— Carthage Athletics (@carthagesports) April 16, 2024

In the top of the 3rd inning, Hendrick reached first base and the following pitch stole second base. Hristov beat the play from the second baseman to be safe at first. Conway pushed a grounder to the fence to advance Hendrick home and Hristov to third, Hernandez stepped up to the plate and cracked a ball to center field moving Hristov home and Conway to third. Peyton Kryza grounded out to shortstop but advanced Conway home. North Central answered with one run in the bottom of the 3rd, bringing the score to 5-2, Firebirds. 

In the top of the 4th, Rettler reached base by being hit by a pitch, she then stole second on the next pitch. Hendrick ripped a ball up the middle to the left center fence to score Rettler and placed herself on third base, 6-2 Firebirds. 

At the top of the 5th inning, Hendrick drilled a grounder to the left side that was misplayed by  the shortstop to drive in Rettler, Rylee Johnson, and Abby Wierzbicki putting the Firebirds up 9-2. 

At the top of the 7th, Hristov drove Rettler in to score, 10-2 Firebirds. The Cardinals opened the bottom of the 7th inning with a triple to right center, followed up by a sacrifice bunt to bring one run in. The Cardinals put up a fight in the last inning but it was not enough to surpass the Firebirds. The Firebirds take the win 10-3. 

Hristov is credited with the win, she is now 3-2 on the year. 


 

• Rettler went 3-7 on the day with 4 runs and 2 stolen bases. She extends her hitting streak to 17 games.
• Hendrick went 3-8 with 4 RBIs
• Conway went 5-7 with 2 runs and 2 RBIs

Carthage softball returns to Wiers Family Stadium and Barbara Madrigrano Field on April 18 against Wheatonl (IL). Action begins at 3 p.m. For more information, visit athletics.carthage.edu.