McLean County Times

Late-game efforts led the Illinois Wesleyan University softball team to a 9-6 victory over DePauw University on Sunday, April 7, at Inspiration Field. Senior Bailey Turner from Normal, Illinois, secured her third home run of the season with a walk-off against the Tigers, improving IWU's record to 13-6. Meanwhile, DePauw's record fell to 10-11-1.

The Titans were initially trailing 1-0 after two and a half innings until sophomore Casey Wissmiller from Bloomington powered them ahead. Sophomore Claire Post initiated the rally with a hit to right center, followed by Anna Beckman drawing a walk. Freshman Hailey Milgazo then loaded the bases for Wissmiller, who hit a grand slam on the first pitch of her at-bat, putting IWU in front 4-1.

Despite this lead, the Tigers scored two in the fourth inning and tied it up with a home run in the fifth.

In response, Illinois Wesleyan regained their advantage in the bottom of the fifth. Wissmiller walked and stole second base before scoring on junior Jen Kuhn's single. Junior Ava Khoury doubled down the third-base line to bring Kuhn home, giving IWU a 6-4 lead.

DePauw countered by scoring two more runs in their next turn at bat. Sophomore Gianna Certa struck out a batter on a full count to leave the bases loaded and keep the score tied at 6-6.

Certa delivered an efficient seventh inning aided by freshman Elyssa Stenger's defensive play against bunts, setting up for Turner's decisive moment.

The final rally began with Wissmiller's single followed by Kuhn’s hit to right center. Smart baserunning placed runners on first and third with no outs. Turner then hit a three-run homer after reaching a 2-2 count, clinching IWU's win at 9-6.

IWU recorded eight hits compared to DePauw’s nine, with Wissmiller and Kuhn each securing two hits. Wissmiller contributed four RBIs while Turner added three.

Certa pitched throughout the game, achieving five strikeouts for her sixth win of the season.

Illinois Wesleyan will start their College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin schedule on Wednesday, April 7th against Millikin University with games starting at 4 p.m. at Inspiration Field.