McLean County Times

Illinois Wesleyan University's softball team has secured its 16th College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin Tournament Championship. The victory came on May 11, as the Titans defeated Millikin University with a score of 4-2 at Inspiration Field. This win improved IWU's record to 30-10, marking their first 30-win season since 2019, while Millikin concluded their season with a record of 24-17.

In the early innings, both teams struggled to capitalize on scoring opportunities. Freshman JD Dowling and senior Megan Fontanetta each contributed hits in the third inning for Illinois Wesleyan, but the game remained tied at 0-0 until later innings.

Sophomore Gianna Certa played a key role in maintaining the score by preventing Millikin from capitalizing on loaded bases in the second inning. "Certa worked her way out of another jam in the bottom half of the fifth," keeping IWU's lead intact.

The Titans' offense gained momentum in the fourth inning with singles from freshman Hailey Milgazo, junior Jen Kuhn, and sophomore Casey Wissmiller. Senior Bailey Turner then drove in an RBI single to put IWU ahead at 1-0.

Millikin briefly took a lead in the fourth inning with two runs. However, IWU regained control in the fifth when Kuhn hit a two-run single up the middle, putting them back ahead at 3-2. Wissmiller added to this lead with a sacrifice fly.

Certa completed seven innings, allowing seven hits and striking out two batters to finish with an 18-2 record. "Following a grounder to third and a fly out to center," she ended the game with a strikeout.

Illinois Wesleyan totaled ten hits during the game, led by Milgazo, Kuhn, and Turner who each recorded two hits. Kuhn also had two RBIs, while Wissmiller and Turner contributed one each.

With this championship win, Illinois Wesleyan earned an automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Tournament. The Titans will learn their postseason fate during Monday's selection show on May 13 at 11 a.m. ET on NCAA.com.