Millikin 7, Carthage 6
Millikin 9, Carthage 3


KENOSHA — The Carthage College softball team returned to action Saturday afternoon for a conference matchup against the Millikin Big Blue. The Firebirds fell to the Big Blue in game one, after extra innings (7-6). In game two, the Big Blue secured the sweep over the Firebirds (9-3).

The Firebirds recognized a standout team in Carthage College athletics history Saturday afternoon. The 2010 CCIW Championship Carthage College softball team, under the direction of Head Coach Amy Gillmore, who was named the 2010 CCIW Coach of the Year, posted a 25-15 overall record, going 10-4 in conference play, and earning the title of CCIW champions. The team advanced to the NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regionals, notching a shutout victory over Alma College in the opener. The special season featured defining moments, including postseason appearances against Augustana, Illinois Wesleyan, Alma, Luther, and UW-La Crosse. 

Additionally, the Firebirds recognized Coach Gilmore in celebration of her 600th win. Gilmore's 600th win occurred on April 5th against Augustana in Moline, Illinois. The Firebirds defeated the Vikings 10-2. 


Game One

• To start game one, the Big Blue scored one run in the top of the first (1-0).
• The Firebirds tied it up in the bottom of the first, scoring one run. Clare Rettler doubled to center field to start the inning off. Kristina Chronos walked, and Simonson laid down a sac bunt, resulting in two Firebrids in scoring position. Izzy Hernandez flied out to right field, and Rettler scored off the sacrifice fly, forcing the score to be tied at 1-1.
• The game stayed tied at 1-1 after two scoreless innings for both sides in the second and third innings.
• In the top of the fourth, the Big Blue collected two hits and three runners on base (1-1).
• The Firebirds took the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Hernandez walked, and Gwen Hendrick singled to center field. Both advanced another base after a throwing error, placing both Firebirds in scoring position. With two outs, Hana Adler singled to left center, scoring Hernandez and Hendrick (3-1). Cardona came into the game to pinch run for Adler. Rettler singled to right field, scoring Cardona and advancing the Firebirds' lead (4-1). 
• Another scoreless half inning (top of the fifth) for the Big Blue left the Firebirds leading by three (4-1).
• In the bottom of the fifth, Hernandez singled to shortstop to start the inning. Hernandez and Hendrick were in scoring position after Hendrick reached first on an error by the left fielder. Tallulah Finegold came up next, flying out to the shortstop, scoring Hernandez with the sacrifice fly (5-1).
• The Big Blue rattled the bats in the top of the sixth and took back the lead from the Firebirds, scoring five runs and collecting six hits (6-5).
• In the bottom of the sixth, the Firebirds tied the game up again. Rettler started it off for the Firebirds with a bunt single. Rettler stole both second and third. With two outs, Addison Simonson doubled to left center, scoring Rettler (6-6).
• The seventh inning saw no runs from both sides, sending the game into extra innings (6-6).
• Neither side scored in the eighth inning, leaving the game tied 6-6 going into the ninth. 
• In the top of the ninth, the Big Blue scored one run, taking the lead 7-6.
• The Firebirds could not answer back in the bottom of the ninth, leading to the Big Blue securing game one (7-6).

Game Two

• Game two started with a scoreless first two innings (0-0).
• The Firebirds took the lead in the top of the third. With two outs, Rettler singled with a bunt. After stealing second, Rettler crossed the plate with Chronos' single through the right side (1-0).
• The Big Blue collected two hits and left two on base in the bottom of the third.
• In the top of the fourth, Peyton Kryza singled through the left side. Trinity Breault pinch ran for Kryza. Kelly Gaiser singled to left field, and Adler singled up the middle, forcing the bases to be loaded. Maddie Conway hit a sacrifice fly to score Breault (2-0). Rylee Boyd singled up the middle, scoring Gaiser (3-0).
• The Big Blue took the lead in the bottom of the fourth, scoring four runs (4-3).
• The Firebirds collected one hit in the top of the fifth (4-3).
• In the bottom of the fifth, the Big Blue increased their lead to five, scoring four runs (8-3).
• The Firebirds left one runner on base in the top of the sixth (8-3).
• The Big Blue scored one more run in the bottom of the sixth, forcing their lead to grow (9-3).
• In the top of the seventh, the Big Blue held the Firebirds, securing the sweep for game two (9-3). 

• In game one, Rettler led the Firebirds at the plate with four hits and two RBIs.
• In game two, Chronos led the Firebirds with two hits and one RBI in four plate appearances.

The Firebirds return to action, staying at home and taking on Illinois Wesleyan Sunday, April 27 at noon. For more information, visit our athletics.carthage.edu.