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DECORAH, Iowa -- Three first-inning runs on a home run were as many as Luther College would need to send Illinois Wesleyan to a 4-0 setback in the first of the best-of-three NCAA Division III Super Regional series in Decorah, Iowa, on Friday, May 20.

The Titans are 33-11 and the Norse improve to 40-3. The same two teams meet at 1:30 p.m. Saturday and in order to advance, Illinois Wesleyan would need to win that game and the "if necessary" game that would follow.

Sophomore starter Mackenzie Marquis (17-6) walked the first two Luther hitters of the game and was lifted for senior Jenna Noland. Noland induced a strikeout and a fly out before shortstop Anna Strien tagged a three-run home run, her third of the year, over the right-centerfield fence.

Luther was limited to only one other hit the rest of the game, a fifth inning single by Abby Pender, as Noland fanned five and walked only one.

Illinois Wesleyan got a double from senior leftfielder Mary Rankin and singles from senior shortstop Sam Gudat and sophomore rightfielder Maggie Graham for their only three hits of the game against Samantha Bratland (20-1).