BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - The Illinois Wesleyan University softball team's eight-game homestand rolls on with a midweek double dip against Wheaton College Wednesday afternoon, March 24. First pitch of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin twin bill is slated for 3 p.m. at Inspiration Field at Carol Willis Park.

Illinois Wesleyan looks to get back on track following tough losses, March 20-21. The Titans hung tough with No. 22 Trine and No. 10 Transylvania at the Pioneer Classic, March 20, but dropped both games by 1-0 scores. A quick turnaround saw IWU take on EU in league play, where a pair of setbacks put the Titans at 2-4 on the season.

Wheaton enters the clash with a 3-3 record. The Thunder, who have had a tumultuous start to the season, most recently swept Chicago 9-4 and 6-5 in a doubleheader March 22.

IWU and WC have met 50 times since 1997, with the Green and White holding a 42-8 edge in the all-time series. The Titans have won seven straight against the Thunder, dating back to the 2016 season. Of Wheaton's eight wins against Illinois Wesleyan, six have come in Bloomington.

Junior Hayley Earl (Washington, Ill.-Washington) is one of three Titans with a batting average north of .300, and comes into the week boasting a team-best average of .368. She leads the Titans with seven hits, and is tied for the team lead in home runs (1) and RBIs (4). Freshmen Bailey Turner (Normal, Ill.-Normal West) and Megan Fontanetta (Arlington Heights, Ill.-Buffalo Grove) check in at .357 and .333, respectively. 

In the circle, junior Madie Monk (Manteno, Ill.-Manteno) has yet to give up an earned run this season. Coming into the week with a 1-1 record, Monk has tossed 11 innings for the Titans and leads the CCIW in earned run average (0.00) and runs allowed (1). Sophomore Natalie Grubczak (Medinah, Ill.-Lake Park) leads the team in innings pitched (13.2) and strikeouts (17), while she is the league leader in opponents batting average (.160).

First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 3 p.m. and can be viewed via live stream here. Live stats will also be available and can be found here.