Annika Brown high-fiving down the starting lineup

Softball Returns Home for Midweek Matchup with Monmouth

First pitch set for 3 p.m.

3/23/2026 1:00:00 PM

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. - With a 10-game roadtrip complete, the Illinois Wesleyan University softball team returns to the friendly confines of Inspiration Field Wednesday, March 25, for a twin bill against Monmouth College. First pitch is set for 3 p.m. and will mark the start of an eight-game homestand.

Playing on their home field since Feb. 18, the Titans will look to improve their 5-7 record. The Green and White spent the last six of its 10-game road stint in Mississippi as part of spring break. IWU split doubleheaders at Mississippi University for Women, No. 20 Belhaven, and Millsaps. On the flipside, the Scots carry a 3-11 mark into Carol Willis Park. Monmouth suffered a sweep in its home opener, March 21, as Loras College left with 8-2 and 6-2 triumphs over the Scots.

IWU and MC have played 48 times previously ahead of this week's double feature, as the series began in 1997. The Green and White leads the series, 43-5, and has come out on top in 23 straight meetings. Most recently, Illinois Wesleyan left Monmouth with an 18-1, five-inning victory, as well as a 7-0 shutout win March 18, 2025. The Scots last win over IWU came 4-3 in eight innings in Bloomington March 28, 2012.

The Titans are led by sophomore Grace Wilkens (Bartlett, Ill.-Bartlett) and seniors Claire Post (Normal, Ill.-Normal West) and Anna Beckman (Bourbonnais, Ill.-Bishop McNamara) on the offensive end. Wilkens tops the team with 13 hits and a .342 average, while Post follows with a batting average of .320. Beckman, who is hitting .313 on the year, has swiped a team-leading 10 bases. She and sophomore Riley McDoniel (Orland Park, Ill.-Carl Sandburg) share the team-high with six RBIs each. Freshman Isabella Boskey (Huntley, Ill.-Huntley) has driven in five and has hit IWU's lone homer on the year.

In the circle, Illinois Wesleyan has utilized the services of six pitchers through the team's first 12 games. Senior Gianna Certa (Third Lake, Ill.-Grayslake North) has thrown a team-high 29 innings with three complete games. She and classmate Caroline Gatchell (Grayslake, Ill.-Carmel Catholic) are tied for the team lead with 14 strikeouts apiece. Junior Mallory Holland (Shelbyville, Ill.-Shelbyville) holds the team's best earned run average at 3.10, narrowly edging out Certa's 3.14. Holland has notched three wins, while Certa has collected two.

First pitch of Wednesday's double feature is scheduled for 3 p.m. and will air on the CCIW Network. Live stats will also be provided. Links can be found on the softball schedule page of IWUsports.com.

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