Wheaton, Ill. – The Wheaton softball team hosted Carthage for a CCIW doubleheader at Ruth Leedy Field on Wednesday afternoon. The matchup was originally scheduled for tomorrow, but rain in the forecast for Thursday pushed the game to today. Weather was still a factor in today's contest.
Carthage earned a 7-5 victory in today's first game. Wheaton led the Firebirds 6-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning with the bases loaded and two outs when play was called due to lightning in the area. Following a lengthy delay, play was halted and the game will resume on April 27 at 3:00 p.m. at Ruth Leedy Field.
Carthage won today's first game 7-5, as the Firebirds scored seven runs, on 16 hits, with one error and Wheaton tallied five runs, on nine hits, with one error. Thunder starting pitcher Eliese O'Neil worked seven innings, allowing seven runs, including six earned runs. O'Neill allowed 16 hits, with one walk.
Thunder leftfielder
Madison Forberg was 2-for-3 at the plate.
Paige Andrews had a 2-for-3 effort, driving in two runs.
Abigail Latka was 2-for-4, with a run scored.
Olivia Nahorniak,
Kylie Chetakian and O'Neil each added a single.
Each team scored twice in their respective portion of the first inning. Wheaton's two runs in the first came off RBI-singles by Andrews and O'Neil. The Firebirds scored a run in the top of the third inning to take a 3-2 lead. Carthage added two more runs in the top of the fourth to extend the lead to 5-2.
Carthage added another run in the top of the sixth to increase its advantage to 6-2. Wheaton responded with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to cut the guests' lead to 6-5.
Tiegan Hoffman drove in Wheaton's first run in the inning with a sacrifice fly. O'Neil crossed the plate on a Carthage error, and Andrews was hit by pitch with the base loaded that brought home pinch runner
Mya Adwalpalker. Carthage added an insurance run in the top of the seventh inning to account for the 7-5 final score.
Wheaton remains in conference play as it hosts Elmhurst on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. Saturday's doubleheader will be "Senior Day" for the Thunder softball team. Wheaton's seniors will be honored in a pre-game ceremony before game one (approximately 12:45 p.m.) of Saturday's twinbill.
