Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The No. 8-ranked Illinois Wesleyan softball team relied on defense and pitching to pull out the brooms and sweep No. 14 Washington University (Mo.) 3-1 and 2-1 at IWU Field on Saturday, April 11. 

The Titans improved to 22-4 with the pair of victories and won all three games scheduled thos season against the Bears, who fell to 25-9.

IWU won game one behind the arm of senior pitcher Chloe Montgomery, who improved to 14-1 this season. Montgomery pitched a gem, throwing a complete game and taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning before shutting out the Bears for the first time all season.

The Titan offensive attack was led by senior Hannah Bowen and freshman Amanda Lack, who both went two-for-three with one RBI each. Catcher Danielle Smith also recorded two hits in the game while Sam Gudat and Katie Caulfield each managed one hit in three at-bats. 

In game two, freshman Mackenzie Marquis and junior Jenna Noland split time in the circle to allow only five hits and one run. Marquis started the game and went three and one-third innings, giving up one run on three hits while striking out three. Noland (3-0) would then shut the door on the Bears to pitch three and two-third innings of shutout ball, striking out five to pick up the win. 

Illinois Wesleyan would be held to only five hits in the second game of the twinbill, but would make the most of their chances scoring one in the bottom of the first before adding two in the bottom of the second. Montgomery and Gudat would drive in a run each for the Titans, going one-for-three at the plate while Lack, Smith and junior Mary Rankin would manage a hit apiece. 

What's Next?
Illinois Wesleyan will travel north to play at the University of Chicago in a 3 p.m. doubleheader on Monday, April 13. The No. 8 Titans were originally scheduled to face the Maroons last Thursday before inclement weather forced the postponement.