OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Illinois Wesleyan softball team advanced to the second round of the NCAA Softball National Championship on Thursday, May 25, 2017 with a 7-0 victory over St. Catherine (Minn.). Junior Mackenzie Marquis (14-7) was spectacular in the circle pitching her fourth complete game shutout of the season. Marquis allowed just five hits over seven innings pitched while striking out one.
   
With a win the Titans improved to 37-13 on the season. Illinois Wesleyan is set to face St. John Fisher in the second round after the Cardinals defeated Williams 2-0 in Thursday's nightcap. With a loss, St. Kate's fell to 38-13 and must make their way through the elimination bracket for a chance at the title. Go here to follow live stats and video streaming.
 
Sophomore Jillian Runyon wasted no time getting the Titans going in the bottom of the first striking a lead-off double into left field. Freshman Sam Berghoff drove Runyon home on a single to the shortstop one batter later. The Wildcat shortstop attempted to look Runyon back to third, but as soon as she fired to first the outfielder sprinted home for the Titans first run of the game. Berghoff was later brought home after a ground ball from senior Katie Caulfield took an odd hop over the Wildcat third baseman.
 
Runyon continued to provide an offensive spark for the Titans in the second inning. After reaching on an error at first Runyon proceeded to steal second. An errant throw on a stolen base attempt then allowed for both junior Stephanie Prentice and Runyon to score, giving IWU a 4-0 lead. Illinois Wesleyan extended their lead to five after freshman Shelby Fulk drove home freshman Sydney Alery on a sacrifice fly to center field.
 
A two-RBI triple from Berghoff in the third inning concluded the Titans scoring effort for the evening. Berghoff finished the game 3-for-4 with a game-high three RBI. Runyon finished a perfect 2-for-2 from the plate with three runs scored and a lone stolen base.
 
Sophomore Julie Josten was 2-for-3 with a walk drawn and Prentice finished 2-for-2 with two runs scored and a walk.
 
Seven runs are the most runs surrendered by St. Catherine's this season with Krista Flugstad (29-6) on the mound. Flugstad's day ended with 10 hits, seven runs (five earned), and three walks surrendered over six innings pitched. In a losing effort, the Wildcats committed a season-high six errors, four of which occurred in the first two innings.
 
What's Next?
Illinois Wesleyan will play St. John Fisher on Friday, May 26 at 4:00 p.m. on Integris Field. The Cardinals improved to 41-6 in a 2-0 no-hitter against Williams thrown by Lindsay Thayer. Thayer struck out 11 in the seven-inning gem. Go here to follow live stats and video streaming.