Carthage 3, North Park 2
Carthage 7, North Park 1
CHICAGO, Ill. - The Carthage softball team opened CCIW in the Windy City on Wednesday afternoon against the North Park University Vikings. The Firebirds claimed the opener in a low-scoring defensive battle, before claiming a second victory in the late innings of the finale to sweep the Vikings.



GAME ONE

The Firebirds opened the scoring in the top of the first inning as Olivia Hristov hit an RBI double to left center field to score Rylee Boyd and give the Firebirds a 1-0 lead. Carthage starting pitcher Emma Faubel threw two perfect innings to hold the Vikings scoreless to start the ballgame.

The Firebirds extended their lead in the top of the third inning after Hristov smacked a single to right field to bring home Clare Rettler and bring the score to 2-0. The Vikings found the hit column in the bottom half of the inning, but were unable to score a run.

Both teams were held scoreless in the fourth inning. The Firebirds then added to their lead in the top of the fifth inning as Gwen Hendrick grounded out to second base, allowing Rettler to score the Firebirds third and final run of the contest. The Vikings were once again held scoreless in the bottom half of the inning.

The Vikings found the scoreboard in the sixth inning, scoring a run off a solo home run for Kayla Lorenz. The Vikings later cut the deficit to 3-2 as Katie Patton hit a double to right center to bring home Miabella Collazo. Both teams were held scoreless in the seventh inning and Carthage claimed the 3-2 victory.

PITCHING DECISIONS
W: Emma Faubel (5-3)
L: Raquel Hare (5-5)

GAME TWO

The Firebirds jumped on the scoreboard again in the top of the first, taking a 1-0 lead as an RBI single for Hristov scored Rettler. The Vikings answered right back in the bottom of the first inning, as Lorenz hit a two-run home run to left field to give North Park a 2-1 lead.

Hristov's big night continued with another RBI single in the bottom of the third inning to bring home Rettler to tie the game at 2-2.

After a scoreless fourth inning, Hristov reached on a throwing error from the third baseman. The error allowed Rettler to score from second base to give the Firebirds a 3-2 lead. Rachael Setterstrom then added an insurance run in the seventh inning, as a single to right field allowed Hendrick to score and extend the lead to a decisive 4-2 victory.

PITCHING DECISIONS:
W: Eden Youngbauer (2-0)
L: Abrianne Papas (3-4)




HITTING

• Olivia Hristov: 4-6, 4 RBI, 1 2B, 1 BB
• Clare Rettler: 4-6, 5 R, 1 2B, 2 BB, 4 SB
• Rachael Setterstrom: 2-4, 1 RBI
• Gwen Hendrick: 1-8, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 3B
• Peyton Kryza: 3-7, 1 2B

PITCHING

• Emma Faubel: 7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, .231 OBA
• Eden Youngbauer: 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 3 BB, 2 K, .166 OBA

The Firebirds (13-9, 2-0 CCIW) return to Wiers Family Stadium on Saturday, April 11 against Wheaton for a CCIW doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. The games will be streamed live on the CCIW Network. For more information, visit athletics.carthage.edu.