ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The No. 15-ranked Illinois Wesleyan softball team got outstanding pitching across 14 innings and home runs in both games from senior leftfielder Mary Rankin in a doubleheader sweep of No. 6-ranked Washington U. in St. Louis on Tuesday, March 29.
 
The Titans took game one by a 5-1 score and kept the Bears' offense hibernating with a 4-0 win in game two. IWU has won nine games in a row and are now 9-3 while the Bears slipped to 20-6.
 
Freshman third baseman Julie Josten and Rankin gave the Titans all the offense they needed in game one. Josten smacked a two-out home run with Danielle Smith on first base in the fourth inning and Rankin connected on a three-run clout with two outs in the fifth inning. Freshman centerfielder Jillian Runyon had reached on a single and senior shortstop Sam Gudat got on with a walk to score ahead of Rankin.
 
Senior Jenna Noland (4-1) struck out four and walked one while allowing five hits (all singles) and an unearned run in the complete game.
 
In game two, the Titans scored a run in the third to lead 1-0 heading into the seventh when they scored three unearned runs. Freshman Taylor Marvin reached on a pinch-hit single and her pinch-runner Maggie Graham scored when Runyon reached on a throwing error. Rankin then delivered her second homer of the day, a two-run shot that gave IWU a 4-0 lead.
 
Sophomore Mackenzie Marquis (4-2) retired the final eight hitters she faced and went the distance in the second game shutout, allowing three hits and three walks while striking out four.

WHAT'S NEXT?  Illinois Wesleyan plays a 3 p.m. doubleheader at Monmouth College on Wednesday, March 30. The Fighting Scots are 8-4 and have won two in a row.