MARSHALL, Texas - Illinois Wesleyan University's softball team's spring break trip came to a rainy ending Thursday, March 16, as the Titans battled eighth-ranked East Texas Baptist University. IWU (4-8) lost in extras, 7-6, before lightning ended game two in the fifth in favor of ETBU (13-1), 6-0.

Game One: Illinois Wesleyan 6, No. 8 East Texas Baptist 7 (8 inn.)
Junior Maya Black (Springfield, Ill.-Glenwood) drew her second base on balls of the game to leadoff the Titans half of the fourth. Junior Megan Fonanetta (Arlington Heights, Ill.-Buffalo Grove) bunted her to second, nearly getting a base hit out of the deal, and sophomore Jen Kuhn (Normal, Ill.-University High) smoked a single up the middle. The base knock by Kuhn brought Black in from second, giving IWU a 1-0 edge on ETBU as the game hit the midpoint.

The Tigers' leadoff batter put a high-flying ball into left field for a homer to even the score at one all after four innings, before ETBU tacked on three runs in the fifth. The Tigers used two singles, a pair of stolen bases, and a double to leap ahead, 4-1. East Texas Baptist appeared ready to add another in the inning, but a diving catch by senior Madison Moore (Verona, Wis.-Edgewood) in right-center sent the game to the sixth.

The Titans took advantage of an opportunity in the top of the sixth as Black reached via error and sophomore Ava Khoury (Columbia, Ill.-Columbia) was hit by a pitch to put two aboard. Kuhn followed with a two-out single, loading the bases for freshman Claire Post (Normal, Ill.-Normal West). Stepping to the plate with the bases packed and two outs, Post clobbered a grand slam to left. The round-tripper, Post's second of the year, gave IWU a 5-4 lead through six and a half innings.

Senior Nina Mardjetko (Lemont, Ill.-Lemont), who started the game, returned to the circle in the bottom of the sixth and promptly took care of the Tigers in 1-2-3 fashion.

After a double play wiped away Moore's leadoff single in the seventh, ETBU returned to the plate trailing by one. The Tigers used a one-out rally to tie the game at five and send the game to extras.

In the eighth, junior Priscilla Peek's (Deer Creek, Ill.-Peoria Notre Dame) poke to left-center drove in Kuhn. The Titans tried to plate another on the double, but a throw home got the runner, ending the threat, 6-5.

An error proved costly in the bottom of the eighth as a pair of bunts and a single gave ETBU the 7-6 win in walk-off fashion.

The Titans recorded eight hits to 11 by the Tigers, with Kuhn and Peek producing multi-hit games. Kuhn finished 3-for-4 at the dish with two runs scored and one driven in, while Peek went 2-for-3 with an RBI.

In the circle, IWU used a rotation of pitchers. Mardjetko got the start and returned to finish the game, tossing a total of 4.2 innings. The pitcher of record, she allowed three runs on four hits, with just one earned run against her.

Game Two: Illinois Wesleyan 0, No. 8 East Texas Baptist 6
Trailing 6-0, Illinois Wesleyan's best scoring chance came in the fifth as Post led the frame off with a single. Junior Hope Yeoman (Lafayette, Ind.-William Henry Harrison) followed with a pinch-hit knock to right, putting two on with two outs. A fading fly ball down the left field line off the bat of Moore was snagged by ETBU's outfielder, ending the threat.

A lightning strike right at the middle of the inning resulted in a delay, which ultimately led to the game being called. 

Four different Titans recorded a hit in the game, while the Tigers tallied nine hits. 

Freshman Gianna Certa (Third Lake, Ill.-Grayslake North) threw the first two innings and served as the pitcher of record, while freshman Caroline Gatchell (Grayslake, Ill.-Carmel Catholic) and Mardjetko were used in relief. 

Illinois Wesleyan will now return to the midwest to take on Monmouth College next week, March 23. First pitch of the doubleheader is set for 3 p.m.