Carthage 9, Penn State Brandywine 8 (8 Inn.)
Heidelberg 6, Carthage 5
CLERMONT, Fla. - The Carthage softball team continued its season opening Florida trip with a pair of games against the Curry College Colonels and the Heidelberg University Student Princes. The Firebirds offense got off to a strong start, defeating the Colonels in just five innings. The Firebirds then battled the Student Princes through all seven innings, but came up short after allowing a walkoff win for Heidelberg.



VS CURRY

The Colonels went down one-two-three in the opening half of the first inning, with Carthage pitcher Emma Faubel closing out the inning with a strikeout. The Firebirds wasted no time getting the offense going in the bottom of the inning, with Clare Rettler hitting a leadoff inside the park home run to give Carthage a 1-0 lead. Rylee Boyd continued the action with an infield single, before being thrown out at second on a fielder's choice which allowed Gwen Hendrick to reach base safely. Hendrick then stole second, before scoring on an RBI single to center field by Olivia Hristov. The Firebirds ended the first inning with a 2-0 lead over the Colonels.

The Colonels started the second inning with a leadoff single from Morgan Barmash, but a pair of strikeouts for Faubel kept the Colonels scoreless once again. Angela Parker led off the Carthage half of the second with a double to center field, before advancing to third on a groundout. Parker then scored on a Colonel error that also allowed Leiah Cardona to reach base safely. Rettler then singled to center for her second hit in as many innings, scoring Cardona and giving the Firebirds a 4-0 lead. The Colonels made a pitching change, moving on from the starter, Barmash, after just 1.1 innings. Ana Tsonis came on for Curry and Rettler promptly stole second and then advanced to third on a groundout. Hendrick walked and stole second, but the Firebirds were unable to bring home the two runners in scoring position.

The Colonels opened the third inning with a single from Cailene Dupras and a double from Adrianna Capozzi to put two runners in scoring position with no outs. Faubel then took control of the situation, punching out a pair of strikeouts and forcing a pop out to end the inning without allowing a run to score. Peyton Kryza reached first on an error to open the bottom of the third. Rachael Setterstrom then reached on an infield single before both runners advanced a base on a groundout. An RBI single to left field for Hana Adler scored Kryza and moved Setterstrom to third. Adler stole second before a base hit for Cardona scored Setterstrom and made it first and third with one out for the Firebirds. Cardona stole second and Rettler walked on four pitches to load the bases. A wild pitch brought home Adler and the Firebirds held a 7-0 lead over the Colonels.

Curry went down one-two-three in the top of the fourth inning after Eden Youngbauer came in to pitch for the Firebirds. Hristov opened the bottom of the fourth with a single to center field, before Kryza singled to left and Setterstrom walked to load the bases. A single from Isabel Bates scored Hristov and a wild pitch scored Hristov to give the Firebirds a 9-0 lead heading into the fifth inning.

With the eight-run rule looming, the Firebirds needed three more outs to secure the victory. Youngbauer surrendered a walk to open the inning but quickly recovered, forcing a 4-6-3 double play for the first two outs of the inning. A flyout to right field ended the inning and gave Carthage the shutout victory.

VS HEIDELBERG

Rettler opened the top of the first with a double through the left side. Rettler then advanced to third on a wild pitch before scoring on a groundout to give the Firebrids a 1-0 lead. Heidelberg had one runner reach base on a walk in the bottom of the inning, but failed to advance the runner any further.

The Firebirds could not score in the top of the second, despite a two-out double from Grace Osterbur. A two-out single for the Student Princes would also be unsuccessful at coming around to score as the Firebirds continued to hold a 1-0 lead. 

Rettler led off the third with a single before stealing second and advancing to third on a passed ball. A base hit from Hristov brought home Rettler and extended the Firebirds lead to two runs. Heidelberg answered back in the bottom of the third, as Adyson Bowe led off the inning with a walk. A base hit for Leah Arnett moved Bowe to third, allowing Bowe to later steal home and make it a 2-1 game. An error for the Firebirds allowed the tying run to come home, before another error gave the Student Princes a 3-2 lead.

The Firebirds were held scoreless in the fourth inning, despite a hit for Addison Simonson and a walk for Osterbur. Heidelberg also failed to score in the fourth, despite a two-hit inning for the Student Princes. 

Rettler singled to open the fifth inning and advanced to second on a throwing error. A groundout advanced Rettler to third before another groundout scored the run, tying the game at 3-3. Heidelberg started the bottom of the fifth with a single, but were once again held scoreless in the inning. Both teams were held scoreless in the sixth inning as well.

In the seventh inning, Rettler walked to start the inning and stole second on the next at bat. Boyd dropped a sacrifice bunt to advance Rettler to third, and a groundout scored Rettler to give Carthage a 4-3 lead. Hristov then homered to extend the Carthage lead to 5-3 heading into the bottom of the seventh. The Student Princes opened the inning with a single from Hannah Hashman. The Firebirds got an out before a walk and a single loaded the bases for Heidelberg. A sacrifice fly for Cara Meyer cut the deficit to 5-4 before an RBI single for Brie Williams tied the game at 5-5 with two outs. An RBI single for Carmen Moore walked it off with the win for Heidelberg. 


 

• Clare Rettler - 5-5, 5 R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 1 HR, 1 2B, 3 SB
• Olivia Hristov - 4-7, 2 R, 4 RBI, HR
• Grace Osterbur - 2-3, 2B, BB
• Emma Faubel - 3.0 IP, 3 R, 1 ER, 6 H, 7 K, 3 BB

The Firebirds (2-2) return to action on Monday, March 8 for another Florida doubleheader against Mount St. Joseph University at 9 a.m. EST and Calvin University at 1:45 p.m. EST. Carthage softball returns to Wiers Family Stadium and Barbara Madrigano Field on Wednesday, March 18 against Concordia University Chicago. For more information, visit athletics.carthage.edu.