Elmhurst 10, Carthage 2 (5 Inn.)
Carthage 6, Elmhurst 5
KENOSHA, Wis. - The Carthage softball team capped off the regular season home schedule on Tuesday afternoon at Wiers Family Stadium against the Elmhurst University Bluejays. After a delayed start due to lightning in the area, the Bluejays came out hot and made quick work of the Firebirds in the opening game. The Firebirds rallied back to take the lead late in the second game to force the series split.



GAME ONE

The Bluejays got the scoring started in the top of the second inning with a three-run home run from Bella Swift. The Firebirds answered with a run on an RBI ground out from Hana Adler to score Rachael Setterstrom.

The Bluejays added to their lead in the top of the third inning, utilizing a pair of walks, a wild pitch and a base hit to extend the lead to 7-1. An RBI triple for Gwen Hendrick scored Clare Rettler to cut the deficit to 7-2 after the bottom half of the inning.

The Bluejays added two more runs in the fourth and one in the fifth to take a 10-2 lead and force the run rule over the Firebirds.

PITCHING DECISIONS
W: Kylie Hoyh (3-4)
L: Emma Faubel (9-5)

GAME TWO

The Bluejays found the scoreboard in the top of the first, as a single for Danielle Hood and a double for Josie Waite led to an early 3-0 lead for the Bluejays. The Firebirds retaliated in the bottom of the first with an RBI triple from Rylee Boyd and an RBI groundout from Hendrick to bring the Firebirds back within a run at 3-2.

In the top of the fourth inning, the Bluejays extended their lead to 4-2 with a home run from Kaylee Aimone. In the bottom half of the inning, Angela Parker doubled to left center field to score Setterstrom to cut the deficit to 4-3.

The Bluejays once again extended the lead with an RBI single in the top of the sixth inning from Bailey Proffitt to go up 5-3. The Firebirds rallied in the bottom of the sixth inning when Parker then hit a single to right center field to score Setterstrom. Addison Simonson hit a sacrifice fly to center field to bring home Isabel Bates to tie the game at 5-5. An RBI single for Rettler scored Jessica Craig to give the Firebirds a 6-5 lead and the eventual win.

PITCHING DECISIONS:
W: Ellie Fapp (2-0)
L: Adeline Denny (2-6)



HITTING

• Rachael Setterstrom: 4-5, 3 R
• Clare Rettler: 4-6, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 SB
• Angela Parker: 2-2, 2 RBI, 1 2B, 1BB
• Gwen Hendrick: 2-6, 2 RBI
• Rylee Boyd: 2-6, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 3B
• Isabel Bates: 2-5,1 R

PITCHING

• Olivia Hristov: 4.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
• Anais Fernandez: 3.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
• Ellie Fapp: 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, .181 OBA

The Firebirds (19-15, 8-6 CCIW) return to action on Sunday, April 26 against Illinois Wesleyan in Bloomington, Ill. Action is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. and will be streamed live on the CCIW Network. For more information, visit athletics.carthage.edu.