Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

story by Jason Kotecki '14

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - Illinois Wesleyan came up short in the first game of the doubleheader, losing 5-4 in eight innings against Illinois College, but came back strong in game two, beating the Lady Blues 10-2 in five innings at IWU Field on Tuesday (April 2).

Illinois Wesleyan is now 13-2 on the season while Illinois College leaves with a 7-8 record.

Game One
♦  The Lady Blues got on the board early with a two-run home run by Brittany Fanella in the top half of the second.  The Titans cut the lead in half when senior Katie Bruins (2-4, 1 RBI) doubled to right center to score pinch runner Audra James in the bottom of the fourth.  

♦  Illinois College held a 3-1 lead going into the bottom of the fifth when a pair of singles by senior Emma Cladk and junior Sara Daley (2-3, 1 RBI) each scored a run to tie the game. 

♦  The game would remain tied going into the top of the eighth until the Lady Blues were able to score two runs off a Paige Cullison double.  Stringing a few hits together, along with an error by the IC first baseman, the Titans were able to squeeze back one run in the bottom of the eight.  A costly line drive double play hurt the comeback.  

♦  Sophomore Chloe Montgomery struck out six in five innings of work. Freshman Jenna Noland (3-1), who came on in relief, was tagged with the loss.  

Game Two
♦  Game two was all Titans as they hit their way to a 10-2 victory in five innings. Senior centerfielder Keri Leach (2-3, 2 RBI) led the scoring in the bottom of the first with a two-run double to center. Clark (1-2, 3 RBI) promptly scored Leach with a two-run blast to center. 

♦  The Titans scored a run in each of the next two innings to further extend their lead. Junior Sara Rogers (2-3, 2 RBI) blew the game open in the bottom of the fourth with a two-run bomb over the scoreboard in left field. 

♦  Illinois College managed to get back one run in the top of the fifth before the final out was recorded.  

♦  Junior Molly McCready improved to 6-0 as the winning pitcher, going four innings, while Montgomery came in relief to finish the final inning.

What's Next?
The Titans will play another home doubleheader on Thursday (April 4), hosting North Central at 3:30 p.m. to open College Conference of Ilinois and Wisconsin play and defense of their regular season league title.