McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University softball team showcased a strong offensive performance in a doubleheader against Monmouth College, scoring 25 runs on 22 hits. The Titans, now holding a record of 6-2, claimed victory in the first game with an 18-1 win over Monmouth (2-14) in just five innings. Freshman Ella Hermes led the team to a 7-0 shutout in the second game.

In the opening game, senior Ava Khoury nearly hit for the cycle, going 3-for-3 and driving in six runs. Senior Jen Kuhn contributed with four hits and three RBIs. Juniors Anna Beckman and Casey Wissmiller, along with freshman Grace Wilkens, also had multiple hits as part of IWU's 19-hit effort.

Illinois Wesleyan started strong by scoring two runs in the first inning through a combination of hits and strategic plays. The team expanded their lead to 7-0 after five runs in the second inning, highlighted by Khoury's two-run double and Claire Post's two-run single.

Monmouth managed to score once before Khoury and Post hit home runs in the fourth inning. Kuhn and Wissmiller set up Khoury's three-run homer followed by Post's solo shot, bringing IWU's lead to 11-1.

The Titans continued their offensive momentum despite Monmouth changing pitchers. Annika Brown achieved her first career hit, contributing to a five-run fourth inning that left IWU leading 12-1.

In the fifth inning, IWU added six more runs with contributions from Khoury, Kuhn, and Beckman. Sophomore Mallory Holland closed out the game by pitching a hitless fifth inning.

Game two saw Hermes make her collegiate pitching debut with an impressive performance that included carrying a perfect game into the seventh inning. Although Monmouth broke it up with a single, Hermes maintained composure to secure her first career win with seven strikeouts over seven innings.

IWU scored all its runs during the fourth and fifth innings of game two. A key RBI double from Kuhn and Wissmiller's two-run homer put them ahead 3-0 in the fourth inning.

The Titans' hitters further extended their lead in the fifth with contributions from Grace Wilkens' single and run-scoring hits from Kuhn and Wissmiller. Khoury's double capped off their scoring at 7-0.

Wissmiller ended just shy of hitting for the cycle but recorded four RBIs on three hits. Beckman, Kuhn, and Khoury each had two hits as IWU outperformed Monmouth offensively with a total of 12 hits compared to one from Monmouth.

Illinois Wesleyan will host No. 11 Trine University for their home opener on March 22 at Inspiration Field.