Kenosha, Wis. – After splitting against the Carroll Pioneers on Wednesday, the Thunder softball team traveled north to Kenosha, Wisconsin to battle the Carthage Firebirds in a two-game series. The Firebirds extended their win streak to eight games with a sweep of the Thunder. Carthage won game one 10-3 and secured the sweep with an 8-1 victory in game two.
In game one, The Firebirds scored the first run in the first inning, but the Thunder got on the board in the top of the third inning after Nori Kang's sacrifice fly allowed Shylah Dozeman to score. Nonetheless, the hosts responded with three runs of their own in the bottom of the third. The Thunder offense kept up with the Firebirds as Shylah Dozeman cracked a two-RBI double, giving Madeleine Hillyer and Mia Reinhard the chance to score, and cutting Carthage's lead to one. However, the Firebirds continued their efficient day on the plate, scoring two runs in the fourth and an additional four runs in the fifth to eventually pull away with a 10-3 victory.
The Thunder recorded six hits as a team while Dozeman was 2-for-2 alongside two RBI. In the circle, Dozeman went four innings and struck out one batter.
The Firebirds carried their momentum in the second fixture, scoring three runs in the first inning and one run in the third inning. The Thunder earned their first run in the fifth inning by Madeleine Hillyer whose RBI single gave Abby Whitehead the opportunity to score. However, that would be the only run of the afternoon mustered by the away team as the Firebirds added four additional runs in the bottom of the fifth to come up with an 8-1 win. With the Firebirds winning both contests, it marks the first time the Thunder were swept by Carthage since 2015.
Both teams tallied eight each apiece while Abby Whitehead and Mia Reinhard notched two hits at the plate. Dillon Watson went 4⅓ innings while fanning one batter.
Wheaton has a busy next week, taking part in three doubleheaders on the road. The Blue and Orange square off against the North Central Cardinals Tuesday before taking on the Elmhurst Bluejays on Thursday. The Thunder will conclude next week with a non-conference matchup against the Olivet Comets on Friday.
