NORTHFIELD, Minn – Macalester College softball matched up against Carleton College (6-14, 1-5 MIAC) in their first MIAC road series this season. The Scots defeated the Knights 3-2 in game one and fell in a heartbreaking, 7-6 (10-inning) battle in game two.
 
With the split, Macalester moves to 13-8 overall this season and 1-3 in the MIAC.
 
Game One: Macalester 3, Carleton 2
 
Macalester scored three big runs in the top of the first inning and were able to ride those out to a win in the Scots first contest against Carleton Thursday afternoon.
 
In the top of the first, senior shortstop Saraswati Wilson doubled to left center to score Abby Cox who had reached on a walk. Miranda Stokes followed up with a double of her own to score Wilson and increased the lead to 2-0.
 
Hali Englert reached on a throwing error and stole second, allowing Stokes to score on a throwing error by Carleton's catcher.
 
Macalester's defense held the Knights scoreless until the bottom of the sixth and seventh innings when they scored one run in each.
 
Brittany Ehmann started on the mound and pitched the complete seven-inning game. Ehmann gave up six hits and two runs after facing 33 batters to earn the win. Her record on the mound improves to 7-4 this season.
 
The Scots finished with just four hits in the game. Aside from the two doubles that were hit in the first inning, Abby Cox and G.G. Gunther also collected hits in the game.
 
Game Two: Carleton 7, Macalester 6 (10 innings)
 
The Scots had another great start in game two. They quickly got a run across the plate following an RBI single by Hali Englert.
 
They brought in four more runs in the top of the third; the result of an RBI single by Abby Cox, an RBI double by Miranda Stokes and an RBI fielder's choice bunt laid down by Hali Englert. Macalester took an early 5-2 lead after three complete innings.
 
The Knights battled back, scoring two unanswered runs in the fourth and one in the bottom of the seventh to tie it up at 5-5 and send the game into extras.
 
Macalester scored the go ahead run in the top of the ninth after G.G. Gunther singled up the middle to score Katja McKiernan. Carleton answered back in the bottom of the ninth to send the game to the 10th inning.
 
The Scots were unable to get a run across in the top of the inning. Carleton squeezed one run across in the bottom of the 10th to close out a decisive 7-6 victory.
 
Miranda Stokes pitched 7.2 complete innings, giving up nine hits and two runs. She struck out five batters. Logan Tootle relieved Stokes and pitched 1.2 innings, giving up five hits and one earned run. Stokes was credited with the loss; her record moving to 4-4 on the mound this year.
 
G.G. Gunther led the Scots with two hits in the game. Hali Englert had a team-high two RBI's. Anna Munson, Saraswati Wilson and Nikki Caicedo also collected one hit for the Scots.
 
Macalester will return to action on Saturday, April 4 when they host St. Olaf College in a doubleheader slated to begin at noon. Follow live video, stats and broadcast of Saturday's games online at: http://portal.stretchinternet.com/macalester/