ROCK ISLAND, Ill. – The Illinois Wesleyan softball team saw its 15-game winning streak come to an end in game one but roared back to earn a split of a league doubleheader at Augustana College at Carver Field in Rock Island, Ill., on Wednesday, April 6.
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The Titans lost the opener 7-2 before winning the second game, 7-4. Illinois Wesleyan is now 16-4 overall and 3-1 in College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin play while the Vikings are 11-15 overall and 1-3 in league play. The 15-game winning streak was the longest since the 2009 season and the second-longest in school history, behind the 21-game streak in 2014.
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In game two, after spotting the Vikings three runs in the top of the first, the Titans evened the score with three in the bottom of the inning. Freshman centerfielder
Jillian Runyon led off with a walk and stole second, then came home when senior leftfielder
Mary Rankin hit one of her two doubles in the game.
Rankin scored on a two-base hit from senior catcher
Danielle Smith and Smith scored the third run on a single by freshman second baseman
Julie Josten.
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Maggie Graham had two hits in the game with a solo homer in the second inning.
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IWU tacked on two insurance runs in the sixth when Rankin delivered a two-run single to give her three RBI in the game.
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Sophomore
Mackenzie Marquis (9-2) labored for the complete game pitching win, striking out eight while walking four and allowing four earned runs on six hits with three wild pitches.
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Three solo home runs stung the Titans in the first game and Ashley Anderson limited the IWU offense to three hits (all singles) and two unearned runs in a game that had a 62-minute rain delay.
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Senior
Jenna Noland (6-2) was tagged with the loss as she allowed three runs on three hits with two walks and six strikeouts in the first three innings.
What's Next?
Illinois Wesleyan hosts a six-team tournament this Friday through Sunday at IWU Softball Field. IWU opens with Friday games against Hope College at 4:30 p.m. and Wis.-Eau Claire at 6:45 p.m.. For a complete schedule,
go here.
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