Dupage Policy Journal

Illinois Wesleyan University's softball team faced Linfield University in the Super Regional round of the NCAA Division III Tournament. The Titans, ranked 20th, ended their 25-game winning streak with a 2-0 loss to the sixth-ranked Wildcats at Del Smith Stadium on May 22.

Junior Anna Beckman initiated IWU's offense by securing the team's first hit in the opening inning and advancing to scoring position but was left stranded. Linfield took an early lead with a one-out double that brought home a runner from second base.

Sophomore pitcher Mallory Holland encountered difficulties in the third inning as Linfield positioned its first two batters for potential runs. However, she managed to strike out Brynn Nelson, marking only Nelson's 16th career strikeout. Defensive plays by senior Jen Kuhn and junior Casey Wissmiller limited Linfield's scoring to one run.

Despite trailing 2-0, Kuhn hit a double in the fourth inning but remained stranded as IWU failed to capitalize. In subsequent innings, juniors Claire Post and Caroline Gatchell contributed defensively, while freshman Ella Hermes and Post provided offensive opportunities with singles. Nevertheless, these efforts did not translate into runs.

In the seventh inning, IWU attempted a comeback when freshmen Bella Pinter and Hermes hit consecutive singles. However, their efforts were thwarted by a shallow flyout and groundout, resulting in a final score of 2-0 in favor of Linfield.

IWU outhit Linfield six to four but could not convert hits into runs. Hermes led with a 2-for-3 performance at bat. Holland took her second loss of the season after pitching 3.2 innings and allowing two runs on four hits before Gatchell finished the game without allowing additional hits.

The Titans aim to recover in their next game on May 23 at 2 p.m., needing two wins to advance to the NCAA Division III Softball National Championship.