BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- The No. 11-ranked Illinois Wesleyan softball team worked overtime to beat Carthage, 4-3, in eight innings of game one before winning the nightcap, 9-5, for a sweep on Saturday, April 23 at the IWU Softball Field in Bloomington.

Illinois Wesleyan improved to 26-6 overall and in first place with a 10-2 record in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. Carthage College is 16-16 overall and finished 6-8 in the league.
 
Game One
After Carthage tied the game with a Makenzie Walker solo home run with two outs and two strikes on the hitter in the top of the seventh, IWU came back to win in the bottom of the eighth. Freshman Jillian Runyon led off with a single and, when senior Laura Bonds doubled to left center, Runyon was able to come home on an errant relay throw to the infield.
Freshman second baseman Julie Josten had two hits including a two-run fourth inning home run.
Senior Jenna Noland (12-3) went all eight innings and allowed four hits while striking out 12, raising her career total to 423, third most in an IWU career. She also has 38 career wins, tied for sixth best in IWU history.
 
Game Two
Illinois Wesleyan jumped ahead 6-2 with a five-run fifth inning, highlighted by a bases-loaded double by junior third baseman Katie Caulfield.
Josten, Bonds and senior catcher Danielle Smith each had two hits to lead a nine-hit Titan attack and Bonds had two RBI.
Sophomore Mackenzie Marquis (13-3) got the win in the circle, striking out 10 while allowing eight hits and three walks.

What's Next?
Illinois Wesleyan's next action will be a 3 p.m. CCIW doubleheader at North Central College at Shanower Family Field in Naperville, Ill.