ELMHURST, Ill. - The Elmhurst University softball team split their conference-opening doubleheader to Carroll Thursday afternoon at Salt Creek Park.

Elmhurst (8-9, 1-1 CCIW) took down the Pioneers in game one, 6-2, scoring four runs in the third inning to take the conference opener. In  game two, starting pitcher Brianna Pisauro took a no-hitter into the seventh inning, but ultimatley gave up four runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to fall to Carroll 4-3 in the second game of the day.

Game one saw the Bluejays fall behind by a pair of runs through three innings, but the Bluejay bats were able to heat up starting in the third inning. With the bases loaded, Maddie Trost started the scoring with an RBI single, advancing all runners one base and bringing up Brenna Morley. Morley then smacked a triple, clearing the bases and extending the Bluejay lead to 4-2 through three innings. A bunt-single in the sixth and an RBI groundout from Reese Coon finished the scoring for the Bluejays.

In the circle, Chiara O'Leary tossed a complete-game, giving up two runs and seven hits while walking none and striking out three batters to improve to 3-4 overall.

In game two, the Bluejays jumped ahead a run early thanks to a Trost RBI double to left field. A pitchers duel then broke out, with Elmhurst starter Pisauro working throuhg multiple jams and Carroll starter sitting down Bluejay after Bluejay. In the top of the seventh, Elmhurst scored a pair of insurance runs thanks to a two-RBI single through the right side from Coon, and Pisauro entered the circle in the bottom of the seventh looking to close out a no-hit bid.

Pisauro got the first batter of the seventh out, but three-straight singles and a two-RBI single closed the gap between the two teams, with the score standing at 3-2. An RBI groundout knotted the game for the Pioneers before a single up the middle gave Carroll the walk-off victory, 4-3. Pisauro dropped to 4-3 on the season with the loss.

UP NEXT

Elmhurst will continue CCIW conference action next Tuesday, April 11, welcoming the North Central Cardinals to Salt Creek Park for a doubleheader beginning at 3:00 p.m. CT.

FOLLOW THE BLUEJAYS

Be sure to keep up with all Elmhurst University Athletics content by following the Bluejays on Twitter (@elmhurstbluejay), Facebook (Elmhurst University Athletics) and Instagram (@elmhurstbluejays), and tune in to elmhurstbluejays.com for the latest news and information.