McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University softball team secured a 4-1 victory against Wartburg College in the opening round of the NCAA Division III Softball Tournament. The game took place on Thursday, May 16, at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. This win brings the Titans' season record to 31-10 and advances them to face host UW-Oshkosh at 11 a.m. on Friday, May 17.

Sophomore Anna Beckman initiated the offense with a leadoff single. Although she advanced to second base, she was left stranded as the inning ended. Sophomore Gianna Certa managed to keep Wartburg scoreless into the third inning despite allowing a leadoff single.

Freshman Elyssa Stenger reached base due to an error and moved forward thanks to senior Megan Fontanetta's sacrifice bunt. Beckman's second single placed runners on first and third bases. An errant throw by Wartburg allowed Illinois Wesleyan to score their first run. Junior Jen Kuhn then doubled down the right field line, increasing their lead to 2-0 after two and a half innings.

Wartburg responded in the fifth inning with an RBI double that reduced Illinois Wesleyan's lead to 2-1. However, Illinois Wesleyan added insurance runs in the seventh inning when Fontanetta singled and Beckman scored on another error by Wartburg. Sophomore Casey Wissmiller's single brought senior Isabelle Piwowarczyk home with an impressive slide, extending their lead to 4-1.

Certa completed her performance by allowing only four hits over seven innings while striking out five batters and walking one. Her efforts earned her a record of 19-2 for the year.

Illinois Wesleyan recorded eight hits during the game from six different players. Beckman went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, while Kuhn finished 2-for-4 with one RBI.

The Titans will next play against top-seeded UW-Oshkosh at 11 a.m., Friday, May 17.