Cassidy Knoerzer
Kevin Krows/Millikin University
2
Winner Carroll University CARROLL 4-3, 1-0 CCIW
1
Millikin MILLIKIN 6-5, 3-2 CCIW
Winner
Carroll University CARROLL
4-3, 1-0 CCIW
2
Final
1
Millikin MILLIKIN
6-5, 3-2 CCIW
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Carroll University CARROLL 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 6 0
Millikin MILLIKIN 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 3 0

W: Osterhus, Amanda (2-1) L: Armstrong, Aly (4-2)

5
Carroll University CARROLL 4-4, 1-1 CCIW
6
Winner Millikin MILLIKIN 7-5, 4-2 CCIW
Carroll University CARROLL
4-4, 1-1 CCIW
5
Final
6
Millikin MILLIKIN
7-5, 4-2 CCIW
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Carroll University CARROLL 0 3 0 2 0 0 0 5 9 1
Millikin MILLIKIN 1 0 0 1 0 0 4 6 11 0

W: Coffman, Bailey (1-0) L: Piontek, Rachel (0-1)

Game Recap: Softball | | Morgan Vogels

Softball Picks up Walk-off Win in Conference Doubleheader Split

The Big Blue softball team took on the Carroll University Pioneers on Saturday, March 27 at the Workman Family Softball Field. Millikin split the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin doubleheader with the Pioneers after a walk-off hit from Cassidy Knoerzer plated the winning run for the Big Blue in game two. 

Game two of the doubleheader saw the Big Blue strike first after Kaylee Goluch walked and scored on an Aubrey Hunt double to left center in the bottom of the first inning. 

The Big Blue lead did not last long, though, when Carroll put up three runs in the top of the second inning on five hits. A bunt single from Bridget Rath kicked things off for the Pioneers, and a double to left center by Allyssa Demma and a walk issued to Abby Wimmer loaded the bases. Back to back singles through the left side off the bats of Maria Mundt and Mathena Higgins scored one run apiece. Camryn Skundberg and Leah Foreman combined for a play at the plate on a ball put into play by Lauren Harshbarger to prevent another run scored. With the bases loaded once again, Kaylee Learman singled to score the third run of the inning for the Pioneers. 

After a scoreless third inning, Carroll struck again in the top of the fourth. Back to back singles to left field from Higgins and Harshbarger put two baserunners on for the Pioneers. A single through the right side from Learman scored Higgins, and advanced Harshbarger to third. A sacrifice fly from Claudia Spencer scored Harshbarger on the tag. 

The Big Blue chipped away at the four run deficit in the bottom of the fourth. A single to left center by Hunt started things off for Millikin. In her first at-bat of the afternoon, Knoerzer singled up the middle and advanced pinch runner Sarah Lahner to second. An infield single by Kailey Pulec then scored Lahner in a close play at the plate.

In the top of the fifth, sophomore Bailey Coffman entered the game in the circle and held the Pioneers to one hit in her three innings of work. 

Down 2-5 heading into the bottom of the seventh, the Big Blue rallied back starting with a triple to deep right center from Skielyr Trenkle. Leadoff hitter Rylee Blake laid down a bunt single, then stole second to put two runners in scoring position for MU. Goluch grounded out to the shortstop, but picked up the RBI when Trenkle crossed the plate. A single up the middle by freshman Leah Foreman scored Blake. Hunt singled to right center and advanced pinch runner Emma Lewandowski to third. Jada Wilson represented the winning run for the Big Blue as she pinch ran for Hunt. A groundout RBI from Skundberg scored Lewandowski and put Wilson on third base with two outs for Millikin. The game-winning hit was a single off the bat of Knoerzer up the middle. 

Rachel Piontek was credited with the loss for the Pioneers, and Coffman picked up her first win of the season for Millikin. 

Hunt went 3-for-3 at the plate, and Knoerzer and Pulec both went 2-for-3 at the plate to help propel the Big Blue past the Pioneers in game two. 

Game one was a pitcher's duel with veterans Amanda Osterhus and Aly Armstrong on the mound.

Carroll picked up their first run of the game in the second inning after singles from Harshbarger and Spencer. 

The Big Blue were held scoreless until the bottom of the fifth inning when they capitalized on a rare walk from Osterhus issued to Maddie Holland, and she scored on a double down the left field line by Pulec. 

With the game tied at one apiece heading into the top of the seventh, Carroll's Mundt singled up the middle then stole second to put a runner in scoring position. She advanced to third on a passed ball and later scored after a Harshbarger groundout to Armstrong. Armstrong looked back the runner, made the play at first and Mundt was able to score after a rundown. 

Millikin was unable to rally in the bottom of the seventh and fell in game one 1-2 to the Pioneers.  

Sierra Grubor went 2-for-3 for the Pioneers, and Osterhus struck out 10 as she only allowed three hits in her second win of the season. 

With the split, the Big Blue is 7-5 overall with a 4-2 CCIW record. Millikin softball is set to hit the road for the first time this season, traveling to Rock Island, Ill. on Sunday, March 28 to match up against the Vikings of Augustana College.
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