Carthage 6, Elmhurst 1
Carthage 8, Elmhurst 7 (F/9)
KENOSHA, Wis. - The Carthage softball team hosted the Elmhurst Bluejays to open CCIW play on Saturday afternoon. The Firebirds offense cruised to victory in game one, before coming away with a second victory in a tight battle that went into extra innings.



GAME 1

In the home half of the third inning, Abby Wierzbicki led off the frame with a single up the middle. Clare Rettler reached safely on a bunt single to put a pair of runners on for the Firebirds. The next two hitters were retired before Maddie Conway hit an RBI single to left center to bring both runners home and give Carthage a 2-0 lead.

Elmhurst found the scoreboard in the top of the fifth inning, as Chiara O'Leary came home to score as the Firebirds picked off Ali Mockenhaupt at first base. The Firebirds now led the Bluejays 2-1. 

In the bottom half of the fifth, Rettler reached base on a bunt single with one out in the inning. A single from Gwen Hendrick moved Rettler into scoring position, before Peyton Kryza hit a triple down the right field line to bring home both runners and extend the lead to 4-1. Conway mirrored Kryza, hitting another triple down the right field line and earning an RBI.

In the bottom of the sixth, Izzy Hernandez opened the inning with a lead-off triple. A sacrifice fly by Wierzbicki would score the Firebirds sixth and final run of the game.

Conway earned the win as Carthage's starting pitcher, throwing a complete game, allowing just one unearned run and four hits. Conway threw 3.2 innings before allowing a hit.

GAME 2

The Firebirds found the scoreboard quickly in the top of the first inning. Rettler started things off with an infield single, before being thrown out at second on a fielder's choice on the next play. After Hendrick stole second base, a base hit from Conway would score the first run of the game.

A ground rule double to left field by Alex Kiriakoppoulos would bring home a runner in the bottom of the second inning, as Elmhurst tied the score at 1-1.

Rettler led off the top of the third with a bunt single and would steal second base on the next at bat. A two-out single from Conway would bring Rettler home to score and give Carthage a 2-1 lead.

The Elmhurst offense came alive in the bottom of the fourth inning, as a two-run home run by Kiriakoppoulos and a three-run home run from Gianna Amundson put five runs on the board and gave the Bluejays a 6-2 lead.

The Firebirds answered right back in the top of the fifth inning. Kristina Chronos led off the inning with a walk, which was followed by a bunt single for Rettler. Hendrick hit a single up the middle, scoring Chronos and advancing Rettler to third base. Kryza hit a double to left center, scoring both runners and bringing the Firebirds back within a run. Kiley Lamb pinch ran for Kryza and quickly scored on a double from Conway, tying the game at 6-6.

Conway opened the seventh inning with a double to right field, before advancing to third on a groundout to the pitcher. Izzy Hernandez grounded out to the shortstop, allowing Conway to score and give the Firebirds a 7-6 lead.

In the bottom of the seventh, a two-out single from Maddie Kriech scored Amundson from third base to tie the game and force extra innings.

In the top of the ninth, Conway hit a two-out single up the middle and used heads-up baserunning to advance to second base on the throw. A single from Adler would bring Conway home and give Carthage an 8-7 lead. The Bluejays went down one-two-three as Carthage earned the victory.

Conway earned the win in relief and improved to 6-2 on the year. She threw 2.0 innings, allowing just one hit while registering a pair of strikeouts.


 

• At the plate, Conway went a combined 7-8 with 6 RBIs, a run, two doubles, and a triple.
• As a pitcher, Conway threw a combined 9.0 innings, allowing just 5 hits and one unearned run.
• Rettler went a combined 5-8 with 4 runs, a walk, and 3 stolen bases.

The Firebirds (14-6) return to action on Tuesday, April 9 as Carthage travels to Chicago to take on North Park in a CCIW doubleheader. Action begins at 3 p.m. Carthage softball returns to Wiers Family Stadium and Barbara Madrigrano Field on April 13 against Augustana (IL). For more information, visit athletics.carthage.edu.