McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University softball team achieved victories over Wartburg College and DePauw University amid challenging conditions on Saturday, March 29, at Inspiration Field in Bloomington, Illinois. The day's competitions were interrupted by a two-hour weather delay but eventually concluded with favorable outcomes for the Titans, improving their record to 9-5 this season.

In the first game, Illinois Wesleyan claimed a decisive 14-7 win over Wartburg College. The game began with a quick start by Illinois Wesleyan, catalyzed by a walk from sophomore Hailey Milgazo, followed by strategic base-running and strong hits. "A timely snag by senior Jen Kuhn (Normal, Ill.-University High) at shortstop saw junior Gianna Certa (Grayslake, Ill.-Grayslake North) work around a first-inning baserunner to keep the game scoreless ahead of IWU's first at bats," contributing to the early lead.

Wartburg responded with power, managing to close the gap with several home runs, but the Titans extended their lead, fueled by Wartburg’s defensive errors and a strategic offensive approach. Despite Wartburg's efforts, Illinois Wesleyan maintained control with a triple from Kuhn driving in key runs.

The Titans recorded 15 hits, while Wartburg was able to gather seven. The multi-hit performances by Bella Pinter and Claire Post contributed significantly to the victory. Certa's pitching yielded four runs over 4.2 innings, while sophomore Mallory Holland successfully closed the game, earning a save with two strikeouts.

In the subsequent game against DePauw University, the Titans secured a 6-1 victory. "Milgazo got the Titans started right where they left off the first game of the day nearly 10 hours later," marking another productive match.

An initial lead created by Milgazo and subsequent RBI singles set the tone for Illinois Wesleyan. Kuhn’s defensive skills, evidenced by a critical double play, preserved the team’s momentum. Effective pitching from freshman Maddie Pool and another strong finish by Holland solidified the outcome, ensuring the Titans' success in both games.

Looking forward, Illinois Wesleyan will face Lake Forest College in a doubleheader, part of the weekend tournament set for tomorrow, March 30.