WESTFIELD, Ind. -- The No. 16-ranked Illinois Wesleyan University softball team won their second game of the 2018 DePauw Softball Invitational on Friday, March 16, defeating Illinois College by a final score of 7-1. Illinois Wesleyan was led on offense by sophomore Sam Berghoff who finished the game 3-for-4 at the dish with two RBI, a stolen base, and a triple. Berghoff is now hitting .571 for the season with 16 RBI and nine extra base hits.

With a win the Titans improved to 5-3 on the season while the Lady Blues fell to 5-6.

Senior Mackenzie Marquis (1-1) earned her first victory of the season pitching 5.0 innings and striking out three. Marquis allowed 10 total base runners with six hits and four walks. Sophomore Ally Wiegand earned her first save of the season pitching 2.0 innings of relief and striking out five batters.

Senior's Delaney Olinger and Stephanie Prentice, as well as sophomore Shelby Fulk, each finished the afternoon with two hits. Junior Julie Josten, sophomore Brea Walker, Fulk, and Prentice each added a lone RBI for Illinois Wesleyan. Junior Jillian Runyon and Prentice tied for the team-high in runs scored with two apiece. Runyon led the team in steals with two and Prentice added one.

Runyon got things started for the IWU offense, scoring on a wild pitch after reaching via an error and stealing second base. After a scoreless second, the Titans extended their lead after a single up the middle from Berghoff plated Prentice.

With the pitching staff continuing to hold Illinois College scoreless, IWU increased their lead to 5-0 with a three run fourth inning.  The Titans scored on three consecutive plate appearances in the fourth as a Prentice single scored Runyon, a Berghoff triple brought home Prentice, and a sacrifice fly from Fulk saw Berghoff cross the plate.

Illinois College scored their first run of the game in the top of the 6th following a double from Elyce Trout. The Lady Blues tried to stretch two runners across the plate, but a connection from sophomore Sydney Alery, Berghoff, and Ollinger caught Shelby Koehler at the plate.

IWU got back into the scoring column in the sixth inning after a double from Walker scored Fulk and a bases loaded walk by Josten scored Walker.

Trout was the leading batter for the Lady Blues going 2-for-2 at the plate with a double, a walk, and an RBI. Jess Feig (2-2) pitched a complete game for Illinois College, allowing 12 hits, six earned runs, and four walks over 6.0 innings pitched.

What's Next?
Illinois Wesleyan will look to continue their unbeaten stretch at the DePauw Softball Invitational with two games on Saturday, March 17. The Titans first take on Washington University in St. Louis at 11 a.m. before facing Trine University at 1:30 p.m. from the Grand Park Softball Fields located in Westfield, Ind. WashU. currently holds a season record of 3-5 while No. 5-ranked Trine is 12-2.