ELMHURST, Ill. – Coming off Monday's sweep over Wheaton, the Bluejays continue to keep pace in the CCIW playoff race after splitting a pair of doubleheaders, at Carthage on Tuesday, and with North Park at Salt Creek Park on Wednesday afternoon.
Game 1
Elmhurst 10, Carthage 2 (5 innings)
WP: Hoyh (3-4) • LP: Faubel
HR: Swift (1)
Bella Swift gave the Bluejays the lead in the top of the 2nd, hitting a three-run shot to left for her first home run of the season. After Carthage got a run back in the bottom of the 2nd, Elmhurst answered with the first five batters reaching base in the 3rd inning, with RBI walks from Grace Hayes and Kaylee Aimone. Swift then singled to drive in another run to give the Jays a 7-1 lead.
The Firebirds pushed a run across in the bottom of the 3rd, but RBI singles from Danielle Hood and Aimone in the top of the 4th pushed the lead to 9-2. Hood then drove in the game-ending run in the 5th on a fielder's choice, allowing Josie Waite to score afte her leadoff single to start the frame.
Maddie Kriech led the Jays with three base hits in the win, going 3-for-4 with a run scored. Swift finished with four RBI, going 2-for-3 with a run, while Hays posted a 2-for-3 day with an RBU and two runs scored.
Kylie Hoyt picked up the win in the circle, pitching five innings with two runs allowed.
Game 2
Carthage 6, Elmhurst 5
WP: Fapp • LP: Denny (2-6)
HR: Aimone (1)
Two-out base hits from Hood and Waite in the top of the 1st put the Jays in front 3-0 early, before the home team would score twice in the bottom half of the inning. The Jays added to their lead with Aimone's solo shot in the top of the 4th to go up 4-2, and again Carthage answered with a run in the bottom of the 4th. A leadoff single from Hood in the top of the 6th would lead to an RBI single from Bailey Proffitt in the 6th inning, but the Firebirds responded with three runs on four hits in the bottom of the 6th to take their first lead of the day, holding on with a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the 7th to secure the split.
Hood and Proffitt both went 2-for-3 in the game, with Waite driving in a team-high two RBI.
Game 3
North Park 9, Elmhurst 5
WP: Papas • LP: Lenczewski (4-8)
HR: Swift (2)
The Vikings would open play on Wednesday with a two-run home run in the top of the 1st, but Swift would respond in the 4th inning, connecting on a grand slam down the left field line to put the Jays in front, 4-2. Kriech would add another run in the 4th with a single to left that brought home Brenna Morley to give Elmhurst a three-run advantage.
North Park responded in the top of the 5th, scoring four runs on one hit, two walks and two errors to claim a 6-5 lead. Two more runs in the 6th and another in the 7th would give the visitors the win in the doubleheader opener.
Hood recorded the Bluejays' lone multi-hit performance in the game, going 2-for-4 with a run scored. Aimone would go 1-for-1 with a run and two walks drawn.
Game 4
Elmhurst 5, North Park 0
WP: Hoyh (4-4) • LP: Meyer
Hoyh would work around just two hits and one walk to pitch the complete game shutout, facing the minimum through three innings and seeing just one baserunner reach scoring position throughout the game.
The bats would break through in the bottom of the 3rd, with Tia Splitgerber's sacrifice fly that brought home Morley. Hayes then doubled in the next at-bat to drive home pinch-runner Sidney Carlson for the 2-0 lead.
The Jays added three more in the 4th, highlighted by Splitgerber's two-out, bases-clearing double to straightaway center.
Splitgerber finished with four RBI in the win, while Hayes led Elmhurst with two base hits, going 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Elmhurst will continue a busy week with three straight non-conference matchups, beginning on Friday, April 24 when the Bluejays take on Wisconsin-Whitewater on the road. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.
