OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – The Illinois Wesleyan softball team was eliminated from championship contention on Saturday, May 27 with a 6-0 loss to No. 1-ranked Virginia Wesleyan College. Freshman Brea Walker had a strong day in the circle after she relieved junior Mackenzie Marquis (14-8). Walker pitched 6 2/3 innings allowing six hits and two earned runs with one strikeout.
 
With a loss the Titan's season concludes with a 37-15 record, a two win increase from 2016's NCAA Division III Softball National Championship contending team. The Marlins improved to 50-3 and will rematch with No. 4-ranked Texas-Tyler in the next round.
 
Marquis' day got off to a rough start as she allowed two hits and four run (three earned) in 1/3 of an inning. Walker came on to replace Marquis to record the final two outs of the first inning. Virginia Wesleyan scored twice more in the top of the second to take a 6-0 lead over the Titans.
 
Virginia Wesleyan used the base-paths to their advantage during Saturday's game stealing five bases in the first two frames. Sophomore Julie Josten recorded the Titans first hit of the game in the second, singling up the middle with two-outs.
 
After allowing two runs in the second, Walker settled down for the remainder of the game to shut-out the Marlins. Illinois Wesleyan saw one of their best opportunities of the day with two runners on in the third inning, but a rocket off the bat of freshman Sam Berghoff was unfortunately snagged.
 
Unfortunately for the Titans they were unable to maintain the offensive momentum and were sent down in order in each of the fourth and fifth innings. Berghoff earned the Titans second hit of the day in the sixth which was followed by a walk from freshman Shelby Fulk. Once again though the Titans left two runners on.
 
With one-out in the bottom of the seventh Junior Maggie Graham doubled for IWU's third hit of the contest. Junior Amanda Lack followed suit with a seven-pitch walk, but she would prove to be the Titan's final base-runner of the afternoon.
 
Virginia Wesleyan was led offensively by Cassetty Howertin, Blake Henderson, and Jessica Lindsay who each had a game-high two RBI. Marlin pitcher Hanna Hull held the Titans to three hits with three walks and eight strikeouts over seven innings pitched.