Box Score - Illinois Wesleyan 3, Augustana 2 (8 innings)

Box Score - Illinois Wesleyan 9, Augustana 1

ROCK ISLAND, Ill. - The Illinois Wesleyan softball team took two games at No. 9-ranked Augustana, winning game one by a 3-2 score in eight innings before claiming a 9-1 win in five innings in the nightcap.

Illinois Wesleyan, who improved to 17-7 overall and 3-1 in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, went ahead 2-0 in the sixth in game one only to have Augustana come back in the bottom of the inning to tie the game. For the Titans, freshman Stephanie Polich reached on an error by the second baseman and senior pitcher Christy Engel reached on a fielder's choice, moving Polich to second. When senior shortstop Allison Ward reached on a fielder's choice, Polich went to third. Kayla Mahoney brought in Polich with a sacrifice fly to leftfield before freshman Alyssa Vorel singled to center field to score Ward.

The Titans got the winning run in the top of the eighth when, with one out, Vorel singled to right field and Jen Monaco and Kris Lee both walked to load the bases before freshman Katie Bruins singled to right field to score Vorel.

Engel was the winning pitcher, allowing three hits and striking out eight in seven innings, and junior Lauren James struck out the side in the eighth to earn the save.

In game two, the Titans got 14 hits and took advantage of three Viking errors. IWU jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning as Polich singled to left field and was sacrificed to second. Ward singled to center field, driving home Polich, and advanced to second on the throw. Mahoney then singled to shortstop, sending Ward to third. Alyssa Vorel singled to right to bring home Ward and Mahoney advanced to third on an error by the rightfielder. Monaco then reached on an error by the second baseman to bring home Mahoney. Caitlin Carpenter provided a single to right field to score Monaco and Vorel.

Vorel was three-for-three with three RBI and a two-run home run in the third while Ward also had two RBI. In the circle, Vorel allowed three hits and struck out one in five innings as her record moved to 5-1. 

Augustana is now 18-7 overall and 2-2 in the CCIW.

The Titans host Carthage at 2:30 p.m. for a doubleheader on Tuesday, April 13.