ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The No. 4-ranked Illinois Wesleyan softball team split a pair of games in the Schutt Invitational II on Sunday, March 24, at the Washington U. Softball Field. The Titans beat No. 8-ranked Coe, 3-0, before losing to WashU, 7-6.
 
Illinois Wesleyan has a record of 8-3 while Coe slipped to 17-3 and WashU improved to a 7-7 record.
 
The Titans, who got seven hits in the first game of the day against Coe, received solo home runs from senior third baseman Julie Josten and junior shortstop Sam Berghoff in the second and third innings, respectively.
Berghoff has three home runs this season and now has 24 in her career, just eight behind Emma Clark (2011-13), the school's career leader with 32.
Freshman catcher Hayley Earl had a bunt single for a run batted in on an unearned tally in the fifth.
 
Junior Ally Wiegand (4-1) scattered four hits and struck out four in the complete game shutout.
 
In the day's second game, after the Titans took a 6-4 lead with three runs in the top of the seventh, WashU rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh to claim the 7-6 win in the second game of the day.
 
Seven IWU players hit safely in the game with Berghoff, junior Brittany Murphy and junior designated hitter Mia Massaro each getting two hits. Earl delivered her first home run of the season, a solo shot in the third.
 
Freshman Madie Monk (0-1) took the loss in relief of junior starter Brea Walker. Monk pitched the final 2 1/3 innings, allowing four runs on eight hits with one walk and one strikeout. Walker allowed two earned runs on five hits in the first four innings.
 
What's Next?
Illinois Wesleyan opens its home season with a nonconference doubleheader against Monmouth College at 4 p.m. on Monday, March 25. The Scots are 3-11 after a Saturday split with Fontbonne. Go here for live links to coverage.