BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin play awaits the Illinois Wesleyan University softball team this weekend, as the Titans hit the road for their first two league doubleheaders of the season Saturday-Sunday, April 9-10. IWU begins the conference slate with a twin bill at Wheaton College Saturday, April 9, beginning with a 1 p.m. first pitch. The Green and White then roll into Rock Island, Ill. for a Sunday double dip at Augustana College Sunday, April 10, at 12 p.m.

The Titans, winners of seven in-a-row, head into conference play with a 12-7 overall record after posting a 3-0 record at their home tournament, April 2-3. IWU most recently defeated Chicago twice (9-0 and 6-1), while also taking down UW-Whitewater (5-2). Wheaton, which holds an 11-11 record, has six CCIW games under its belt already. The Thunder sit at 1-5 in league play. Wheaton edged North Park in its league opener, but has lost five straight since. Augie enters the weekend with a 13-6 overall mark and is 1-1 in conference. The Vikings will travel to Kenosha, Wis. for a doubleheader at Carthage Saturday, April 9, before hosting the Titans.

IWU has a long-storied history with Wheaton and Augustana, both of which date back to the 1997 season. Illinois Wesleyan holds a 46-9 record against Wheaton all-time, and has won 10 of the past 11 matchups. The Thunder run-ruled the Titans in the first of five games between the two in 2021, but the Green and White have since won four straight. IWU leads the all-time tally against Augie, 39-26, and has recorded four consecutive wins in the series. 

Reigning CCIW Hitter of the Week, Hayley Earl (Washington, Ill.-Washington), leads the team offensively with a .415 batting average. She also tops the team in hits (27), RBIs (22), and slugging percentage (.723), while she is tied for the team lead in doubles and homers. Junior Madison Moore (Verona, Wis.-Edgewood) also boasts a batting average north of .400, coming in at .407, and leads the team in stolen bases with three. 

Sophomore Bailey Turner (Normal, Ill.-Normal West) and junior Natalie Grubczak (Medinah, Ill.-Lake Park) are the team ERA leaders, while tying for second on the team with three wins apiece. Junior Nina Mardjetko (Lemont, Ill.-Lemont) has earned a team-high four wins, and also paces the squad in strikeouts. Grubczak ranks fifth in the league as she is holding opponents to a .195 batting average. 

IWU's games at Wheaton can be followed via live stats by clicking here, while the Illinois Wesleyan-Augustana tilts will be live streamed here. Live stats for the Titans' games against the Vikings can be found by clicking here.