McLean County Times

Illinois Wesleyan University's softball team split a doubleheader against the No. 16 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. The Titans, now with a record of 12-6, lost the first game 4-1 but came back to secure a 3-0 win in the second match.

In the first game, Illinois Wesleyan scored an early lead when junior Casey Wissmiller doubled and was brought home by senior Ava Khoury's sacrifice fly. However, the Warhawks quickly caught up, surpassed, and completed the game with a 4-1 victory. Junior pitcher Gianna Certa was in the circle for five innings, finishing with four strikeouts.

The second game saw a strong performance from Illinois Wesleyan. The team capitalized in the second inning, with junior Anna Beckman starting off with a single. Khoury hit an RBI single, and freshman pitcher Maddie Pool followed up with her first career home run, scoring two additional runs. Pool also shined by pitching a complete game shutout, allowing only two hits while striking out five. This win boosted her record to 4-1.

Offensively, the Titans had a lead in hits, with Khoury and Pool combining for five of the team's six hits. Khoury ended the game 3-for-3, and Pool with a significant home run, also marked a milestone as the first home run by a Titan pitcher since 2022.

Illinois Wesleyan is set to host a weekend tournament this Saturday and Sunday, featuring The College of Wooster and the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire.