Bryan Moore Associate Executive Director | College Conference Of Wisconsin And Illinois
Bryan Moore Associate Executive Director | College Conference Of Wisconsin And Illinois
The Illinois Wesleyan University softball team secured a 6-3 victory over Bethany Lutheran College in the NCAA Division III Bloomington Regional's opening game. The Titans, ranked 20th, will advance to face either Greenville University or Nebraska Wesleyan University.
Sophomore Mallory Holland overcame an early challenge from Bethany Lutheran, allowing just one hit in the first inning and successfully ending it with a double play involving junior Claire Post and senior Jen Kuhn.
Illinois Wesleyan initially struggled offensively until junior Anna Beckman hit her second home run of the season in the second inning, giving IWU a 1-0 lead. Freshman Ella Hermes and Post walked consecutively but could not extend the rally further.
Bethany Lutheran capitalized on errors by Illinois Wesleyan in the fourth inning to take a 3-1 lead. However, Holland limited further damage by stranding two runners with a strikeout.
In the sixth inning, Kuhn's home run reduced the deficit to one before senior Ava Khoury singled and junior Casey Wissmiller's two-run homer put IWU ahead 4-3. Post added an RBI single, and Kuhn drew a bases-loaded walk for additional insurance runs.
Junior Gianna Certa closed out the game with a perfect seventh inning to earn her 17th win of the season without allowing any hits. Offensively, Beckman and Post led with two hits each, while Kuhn and Wissmiller contributed crucial RBIs.
Illinois Wesleyan will continue in the winner's bracket against either Greenville or Nebraska Wesleyan tomorrow morning. Meanwhile, Bethany Lutheran will compete in an elimination game at 1:30 p.m.
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