Last weekend, softball hosted two doubleheaders, and each day brought awareness to a different important cause.
On Saturday, April 27, they hosted a NFCA Strikeout Cancer game. Four families that are a part of the softball program have been affected by cancer, and two of those family members were given the opportunity to throw out the first pitch. The team worked to raise donations and raise awareness to this cause with the help of the NFCA.
The Big Blue split the first doubleheader of the weekend. In two games against Carthage College, they won the first game 8-0 in five innings before losing the second game 3-4 in ten innings.
The first game highlights included seven different players recording an RBI, Leah Foreman going 1 for 1 at the plate, and Charly Warlow pitching a complete game, only allowing three hits.
In the second game, senior Lanie Chizmark recorded a homerun, and three players recorded RBIs, but it was not enough to lift the Big Blue ahead. Kelsey Bruno and Carly Ward pitched five innings each.
On Sunday, the second doubleheader of the weekend was played against Carroll University. Millikin fell in the first game 0-2, before storming back in the second game to win 11-2 in five innings.
This game was held in collaboration with The Hidden Opponent as a mental health awareness game, in hopes of bringing light to the conversation of mental well-being in college athletes.
The Big Blue only recorded four hits in game one, with Maddy Regan going 2 for 3 at bat. Warlow pitched the entirety of the first game, striking out four. During the second game, a very active fourth inning gave the Big Blue nine of their eleven runs. Eight different players recorded RBI’s, with three players going 2 for 3 at the plate. Kelsey Bruno pitched the majority of the game, with Megan Walker and Abby Wilken coming in as relief in the final inning.
Softball has two more regular season games remaining, a doubleheader against North Park University on Saturday, May 4. They currently sit at a record of 20-14 and 8-6 in conference. Next week they will begin postseason play.
