BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (Monday, April 23) -- The No. 18-ranked Illinois Wesleyan softball team defeated University of Wisconsin-Whitewater by a final score of 3-0 in game one of their doubleheader on Monday, April 23. Game two was called off with the game tied 2-2 after rain plagued the final two innings.

IWU improved their record to 22-8-1 following Monday's games while UW-Whitewater fell to 19-10-1 on the season.

In game one, sophomore Brea Walker improved to 7-3 with a complete game, five-hit shutout. Walker, who struck out six and walked none, retired the first 11 Warhawks she faced and didn't allow a hit until the fifth inning.

She got early run support as the Titans scored two unearned runs in the opening inning. Junior centerfielder Jillian Runyon reached on an error, stole second, and scored on a single by sophomore shortstop Sam Berghoff.  After sophomore Shelby Fulk singled to send Berghoff to third, the Warhawks committed their second error of the inning to allow Berghoff to score.
 
IWU tacked on a run in the fourth when senior catcher Amanda Lack doubled and scored on a Brittany Murphy single. Murphy and Fulk each finished game one 2-for-3 at the plate.

Whitewater's Julia Carmado was handed her fourth loss of the season after she allowed three runs (one earned) and six hits over 5.0 innings pitched.

Senior Mackenzie Marquis toed the rubber in game two, allowing two earned runs on eight hits and four walks over 6.1 innings pitched. Marquis successfully worked her way out of a number of jams, leaving three Warhawks batters on base in the second inning and two on base in the sixth.

Sophomore Ally Wiegand relieved Marquis in the seventh inning with two runners on base and struck out two of the innings final three batters to end the threat. Wiegand finished her day with three strikeouts in 1.2 innings of work.

With the Titans trailing 2-0, Berghoff cracked a deep home run to center to pull the team within one. Following Berghoff solo shot, Fulk and senior Maggie Graham each reached base to set up an RBI grounder from junior Julie Josten to tie the game at two.

Whitewater's Bella Matthias pitched all eight innings for the Warhawks allowing two earned runs on four hits and seven walks. Matthias struck out seven Titan batters.

UWW received run support from Kelly Berglund who finished 2-for-4 at the plate and drove in runs in the second and fourth inning.

What's Next?
The Titans return to College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin action with a 1 p.m. home doubleheader on Saturday against Carthage College and a 12 p.m. Sunday doubleheader at Augustana College in Rock Island, Ill.