Bryan Moore Associate Executive Director | College Conference Of Wisconsin And Illinois
Bryan Moore Associate Executive Director | College Conference Of Wisconsin And Illinois
Illinois Wesleyan University's softball team secured a 6-1 victory over Nebraska Wesleyan University, advancing to the Bloomington regional title game in the NCAA Division III Softball Tournament. The match took place on Friday, May 16, with IWU holding a record of 36-7. Nebraska Wesleyan will compete in an elimination game later.
The game began with freshman Grace Wilkens executing a bunt-single, leading to early hits for Illinois Wesleyan. Senior Ava Khoury drove Wilkens home with an RBI single. Junior Casey Wissmiller and freshman Bella Pinter contributed with additional hits, increasing the score.
Pinter hit a solo homer in the fourth inning, marking her seventh of the season and extending IWU's lead to 4-0. She continued her performance with a double in the fifth inning.
Junior Gianna Certa's no-hit attempt ended in the fifth when Nebraska Wesleyan scored their only run after consecutive hits. However, Illinois Wesleyan responded as junior Claire Post started the sixth inning with a single. Wilkens reached on an error, and senior Jen Kuhn walked to load the bases for Khoury, who was intentionally walked, bringing in another run.
Nebraska Wesleyan loaded the bases again but could not capitalize as Certa struck out their batter to end their threat. Certa finished strong with a 1-2-3 inning in the seventh.
Certa allowed three hits and struck out two over seven innings, improving her season record to 18-2. Illinois Wesleyan supported her efforts with six runs on 11 hits. Pinter led offensively by going 3-for-3 with three RBIs and one run scored.
The Titans are set for Saturday's regional title game at 11 a.m., awaiting their opponent from tonight's games.
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