WAUKESHA, Wis. -- The Illinois Wesleyan softball team swept Carroll University of Sunday, April 23, earning a 2-1 victory in game one before besting the Pioneers 8-3 in the second half of the doubleheader. Junior Amanda Lack was the hero in game one driving in each of the Titans two runs, including the game-winning run in the top of the seventh inning. Lack finished the day batting 2-for-4 with three RBI and a double.

With a pair of wins the Titans improved to 25-11 on the season with a 9-5 record in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW). After Millikin and Carthage concluded their conference seasons on Sunday, IWU can finish no better than third in the conference during the regular season. Millikin University is set to host the 2017 CCIW Softball tournament after finishing with a record of 30-10 (14-2 CCIW). Carroll fell to 15-19 (6-8 CCIW) following the sweep by IWU.

In a pitchers duel, the Titans trailed 1-0 heading into the fifth inning. A double from Lack scored senior Katie Caulfield to knot the game up at one in the fifth. Caulfield led the Titans in game one with two hits. In the top of the seventh Lack then drove home the eventual game-winning run in freshman Brittany Murphy on a sacrifice fly to give IWU a 2-1 lead.

Junior Mackenzie Marquis earned the victory after allowing seven hits and one earned run through seven innings pitched. Marquis walked three and struck out six batters in her sixth complete game of the season. For Carroll, Amanda Osterhus pitched a complete game allowing six hits and two earned runs while striking out five.

Illinois Wesleyan bats woke up in game two to the tune of eight runs. The Titans scored all eight of their runs in the first three innings before Osterhus came in to close the door once again. Freshman Shelby Fulk and Sydney Alery each drove in two runners for the Titans to lead the team. Fulk led the team in hitting going 3-for-4 from the dish in game two. Freshman Sam Berghoff, Caulfield, and Lack each tallied one RBI for IWU en route to the 8-3 victory.

The speed of sophomore Jillian Runyon cause Carroll problems in game two as the outfielder stole a season-high four bases during the contest. With five total stolen bases on the day, Runyon bested her previous season-high of 41 with a school record setting 45 stolen bases. She now has 86 stolen bases for her career which ranks two behind Nichole Williams with 88 (2001-04), and Monica Urban with 94 (2006-09).

Freshman Brea Walker tied the school record for most wins in a freshman season earning her 11th victory on Sunday. Walker (11-3) is now tied with Kerri Doyle (11-3 in 1992) and A.J. Reeley (11-4 in 2000) and has an opportunity to set the program record against Wheaton College next week. She earned her 11th win of the season on Sunday after allowing just three earned runs in her sixth complete game of the season.

What's Next?
Illinois Wesleyan concludes their regular season next weekend with a home doubleheader at 1 p.m. against Wheaton College on Saturday, April 29. Wheaton currently owns a record of 7-27 (3-9 CCIW) after a split with Augustana College on 4/22.