BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The sixth-ranked Illinois Wesleyan University softball team kicks off the 2020 season Thursday, Feb. 20, with a doubleheader against Illinois College inside the Louisville Slugger Dome in Peoria, Ill. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.

Illinois Wesleyan returns several key players from last season's squad that pieced together a 39-10 record en route to its fourth straight NCAA Championship appearance. IWU's roster is comprised of 16 returners and nine newcomers, including a pair of transfers.

The Titans, who were picked to win the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin, return a 1-2 punch in the circle in the form of Ally Wiegand (Downs, Ill.-Downs Tri-Valley) and Brea Walker (Gibson City, Ill.-Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley). Wiegand, the reigning NFCA Division III Pitcher of the Year, compiled a 0.50 earned average and struck out 260 in 2019. Meanwhile, Walker earned Second Team All-CCIW honors having registered a 15-5 record and striking out 85.

First Team All-CCIW selections Hayley Earl (Washington, Ill.-Washington) and Colleen Palczynski (Mt. Prospect, Ill.-Prospect) return along with senior Shelby Fulk (El Paso, Ill.-El Paso-Gridley). Fulk led the Titans with a .344 batting average last year, while Sam Berghoff (Chicago, Ill.-Whitney Young) boasted a .446 batting average despite being limited due to injury throughout the season. 

Thursday's double feature will mark the first meeting between IWU and Illinois College since the 2018 campaign. That year, the Titans topped IC 7-1, March 16, in Westfield, Ind. Berghoff went 3-for-4 with two RBI and Wiegand earned the save in relief of Mackenzie Marquis to give Illinois Wesleyan the win.

In eight meetings since 2012, IWU has won five of them. Each of the Titans three losses have come by one run each, as the Lady Blue came out on top 8-7, May, 2, 2017, 6-5, March 26, 2015, and 5-4, April 2, 2013.

Admission to Thursday's double dip is $5, while fans unable to attend can follow along via live stats by clicking here or by following the team's Twitter account, @IWUSoftball. Derek Bohlmann will also have the call on 98.3 FM WEXG.