McLean County Times

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – On April 23, the Illinois Wesleyan University softball team defeated North Central College in a doubleheader at Inspiration Field, concluding with scores of 7-2 and 8-0. This result elevated the Titans' season record to 25-7 and secured their 10-0 standing in the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin. Conversely, North Central's record fell to 16-18 overall and 5-9 in league play.

In the first game, Anna Beckman, a junior from Bourbonnais, Illinois, initiated the scoring by drawing a walk, stealing second, and advancing to third on a wild pitch. Jen Kuhn, a senior from Normal, Illinois, contributed with an RBI groundout, putting Illinois Wesleyan ahead 1-0.

The Titans expanded their lead in the second inning to 3-0, showcasing their baserunning skills. North Central responded with two runs in the third inning, reducing the lead to 3-2. However, Illinois Wesleyan extended their lead in the third and fourth innings, ending the game at 7-2. Gianna Certa, a junior from Third Lake, Illinois, sealed the victory with a complete-game performance, earning her 12th win of the year with six strikeouts.

In the second game, the Titans continued their offensive dominance. Claire Post hit a two-run homer, bringing the lead to 3-0 by the third inning. Illinois Wesleyan increased their advantage with postgame runs, leading to a final score of 8-0. Mallory Holland pitched a complete game to secure the victory, marking her third complete game and second shutout of the season.

Illinois Wesleyan achieved 12 hits in both games, demonstrating consistent batting strength. Post, Kuhn, and Khoury were notable contributors to the team's performance. The Titans are scheduled to embark on a road trip to Wisconsin from April 26-27, where they will face Carroll University and Carthage College in successive games.