By DAVID VANTRESS

For the Northwest News

FORT WAYNE – With a lot of new faces in new places in 2023, the Carroll High School softball team is looking to find its identity.

On April 10 at home against Garrett, the Chargers got the new season off on a winning note with a 15-5 win in a game halted after six innings due to the 10-run rule.

It was the start of a busy four-game week for the Chargers, who are now 2-2 after a 23-1 win over Warsaw, a 5-0 loss to perennial rival Homestead and a 4-0 defeat at the hands of defending Class 2A state champion Eastside.

Against Garrett, the Chargers (1-0) built a 10-0 early lead with a run in the bottom of the first, four each in the second and third, and a single run in the bottom of the fourth.

Carroll pounded out 10 hits on the night and drew 13 walks en route to the win.

Garrett just got one hit, that coming from Emma LaPato, who also drove in a run.

The Railroaders (0-3) rallied to halve the Carroll lead with two in the fifth and three in the fifth.

But the Chargers put this one away with five in the bottom of the sixth.

Carroll interim coach Allison Pannabecker said her team is still adjusting to a brand new lineup. “We’re still working on our communication,” Pannabecker said.

The Chargers committed a pair of errors that led to a trio of Garrett runs.

The Chargers were happy to finally lift the lid on their 2023 season after seeing two contests postponed due to inclement weather.

Carroll’s Laney Conner went the distance in the circle for the Chargers, giving up five runs (just two earned) on one hit, fanning 12 but walking seven.

Addi Hupe led the Chargers at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBIs, also drawing a walk. Olivia Wallace went 2-for-4 with three runs scored and one RBI.

Tuesday, April 11

Homestead 5, Carroll 0

The Charger bats had a hard time getting in gear in this one, as Spartan senior pitcher Ava Mejia allowed just four hits and struck out 12 while walking just two.

Carroll got a double and three singles against Homestead.

Wednesday, April 12

Carroll 23, Warsaw 1

The Chargers rebounded nicely against the Tigers, striking for 15 runs in the first inning en route to the run-rule victory on the road.

The Chargers pounded out 13 hits on the night. A total of 15 Chargers saw action in the contest: Junior shortstop Jaidyn Fuller went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and three RBIs. Senior outfielder Olivia Wallace was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and four RBIs, and Jordyn Fuller was 2-for-5 with a pair of runs scored and three RBIs.

Isabella Rapson started and got the win in the circle, going three innings and striking out three while walking none. Taylor Danley finished up with two innings, fanning four.

Friday, April 14

Eastside 4, Carroll 0

Against the Blazers, the Chargers ran into one of the best teams in the state in any class and senior hurler Natalie Lower, a Rock Valley College (Ill.) commit.

Lower turned in a full perfect game, striking out 12 and walking none while surrendering no hits.

This week, the Chargers were slated to travel to Northrop Tuesday night before hosting Huntington North on Wednesday, April 19 and traveling to Bellmont on Thursday, April 20.