McLean County Times

The Illinois Wesleyan University softball team secured a victory against Bethany Lutheran College in the NCAA Division III Bloomington Regional opener. The Titans, ranked 20th, came from behind with a five-run sixth inning to win 6-3. This triumph advances them to face either Greenville University or Nebraska Wesleyan University.

Sophomore Mallory Holland navigated through early challenges, managing a one-out single by the Vikings and retiring the next three batters. She recorded a strikeout with a runner on base, while junior Claire Post executed a double play to end the inning.

Initially, the Titans struggled offensively as their first four hitters struck out. However, junior Anna Beckman provided momentum in the second inning with her second home run of the season, giving Illinois Wesleyan a 1-0 lead. Freshman Ella Hermes and Post followed with walks but were unable to capitalize further.

Bethany Lutheran took advantage of Titan errors in the fourth inning, loading bases and scoring three runs due to an errant throw. Despite trailing 3-1 into the sixth inning, Illinois Wesleyan's bats responded. Senior Jen Kuhn hit a home run reducing the deficit to one. Senior Ava Khoury singled and junior Casey Wissmiller's two-run homer pushed IWU ahead 4-3. Post added an RBI single and Kuhn drew a walk with bases loaded, extending their lead to 6-3.

Junior Gianna Certa closed the game effectively with a perfect seventh inning, improving her record to 17-2 this season without allowing any hits in her relief appearance.

Illinois Wesleyan tallied eight hits overall, predominantly in later innings. Beckman and Post each had two hits; Beckman went 2-for-3 scoring twice and driving in one run, while Post finished 2-for-2 with one run scored and another driven in. Kuhn and Wissmiller each contributed two RBIs.

The Titans advance within the winner’s bracket for tomorrow's match at 11 a.m., awaiting their opponent from today's Greenville-Nebraska Wesleyan game outcome. Meanwhile, Bethany Lutheran will play against today's losing team at 1:30 p.m.