BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- After dropping the first game of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) tournament to Carthage College by a 1-0 score, the Illinois Wesleyan softball team bounced back in game two by defeating Carroll University 6-0. The Titans needed a victory in game two in order to stay alive in the conference tournament and advance to Saturday's slate of games.

With a split on Friday the Titans moved to 28-10-1 on the season. Carthage is now 20-19 and has a chance to advance to the championship round if they defeat North Central in Friday's final game. Carroll's season concludes with a record of 22-15.

In game one, Illinois Wesleyan managed just two hits off Carthage starter Stefanie Guercio. Titan starter Brea Walker (9-4) was solid in the circle allowing just three hits and one earned run during the contest. Walker struck out seven batters and walked two.
 
The lone run of the game came in the first inning on a double from Carthage's Naomi Alonzo.

Illinois Wesleyan's luck took a turn in game two as they hit two home runs off of Carroll's Amanda Osterhus. Osterhus was tagged for eight hits and six earned runs in a complete game effort. Earlier this season, Osterhus held the Titans to four hits without allowing an earned run.

Sophomore Ally Wiegand (13-3) was the winning pitcher in game two, holding the Pioneers to two hits over five innings while striking out seven batters. Senior Mackenzie Marquis worked two innings in the circle allowing one hit and striking out one.

Junior Julie Josten got the Titan offense started in the second inning, hitting a three-run home run to left field. Josten's blast was her fifth of the season and the 14th of her career.

Illinois Wesleyan added three more runs in the third inning starting with an RBI single to left from sophomore Sam Berghoff. Berghoff came around to score on a two-run home run from senior Maggie Graham. Graham finished the game 3-for-3 with two runs, two RBI, a double, and a home run.

What's Next?
Illinois Wesleyan will aim to keep their conference tournament championship hopes alive on Saturday, May 5 at 10 a.m. The Titans will face the loser of Friday's final game between North Central and Carthage. IWU must win three straight games on Saturday to claim the automatic bid into the 2018 NCAA Division III Softball Championships.