BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The Illinois Wesleyan softball team split their conference doubleheader against Augustana College on Friday, April 14. IWU lost game one by a final score of 5-4, prior to defeating the Vikings in game two by a 5-3 tally. Freshman Sam Berghoff led the team offensively, hitting 3-of-7 over the span of two games with four RBI, two doubles, one home run, and one run scored.

After Friday's action, the Titans move to 18-10 with a 3-5 record in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW). Augustana improved their season record to 8-16 with a 1-5 record in the CCIW.

Berghoff got things started for IWU in game one, hitting her eighth home run of the season to put the Titans up 1-0 in the first inning. A RBI single from sophomore Jillian Runyon plated sophomore Julie Josten in the second to give IWU a 2-0 lead over the Vikings. Augustana tied the game up at 2-all prior to a lengthy delay on account of lightning in the area.

The Vikings continued their run scoring another three unanswered runs to take a 5-2 lead over IWU heading into the bottom of the sixth inning. Berghoff's double to right-center in the sixth allowed Runyon and freshman Mia Massaro to score, but the Titans were unable to muster up another run to force extra innings in the bottom of the seventh.

Berghoff, Runyon, Josten, senior Katie Caulfield, and freshman Shelby Fulk each recorded two hits in game one of the doubleheader.

Junior Mackenzie Marquis (7-5) was handed the loss in game one after allowing six hits, three walks, and two earned runs through 4 1/3 innings pitched. Marquis struck out two.

IWU once again found themselves with an early lead in game two after Runyon scored from third on a wild pitch. A three-run home run from Augustana's Danielle Klatt provided all of the Vikings offense for game two.

Heading into the top of the seventh trailing 3-1, the Titans scored four runs to take a 5-3 lead. Junior Amanda Lack and freshman Sydnie Wells each drove in runners in the seventh to tie the game at 3-all. A triple from freshman Sydney Alery and a double from Berghoff unhinged Klott as the Titans took the lead for good.

Junior Maggie Graham led the team with two hits in game two.

Marquis earned the win in game two, pitching 3 1/3 scoreless innings and allowing just two hits. Sophomore Taylor Marvin earned a no decision after pitching 3 2/3 innings and allowing three earned runs on seven hits.

Klott pitched all seven innings for Augustana allowing seven hits, five earned runs, and four walks.

What's Next?
Illinois Wesleyan takes on Elmhurst in a CCIW doubleheader on Saturday, April 15, with the first game set to start at 12 p.m. Elmhurst currently holds a record of 10-12 (1-3 CCIW) and boast two hitters with a .400 batting average in their starting line-up.