IWU softball bounced from NCAA Championships

IWU softball
(Photo courtesy iwusports.com)

By IWU Sports Information

SALEM, Va. – The postseason run of the Illinois Wesleyan softball team ended with a 3-1 loss to Rowan University in the second round of the NCAA Division III Softball Championships at James Moyer Sports Complex in Salem, Va., on Friday.

Illinois Wesleyan finished in seventh place in the national championships with a final record of 35-13 while Rowan advanced with a 40-10 record.

The Titans outhit Rowan, 8-5, and left eight runners on base compared to six for the Profs.

Illinois Wesleyan scored their only run in the fourth inning when senior catcher Danielle Smith drew a leadoff walk followed by a single to left by freshman second baseman Julie Josten.
Junior third baseman Katie Caulfield greeted new pitcher Mackenzie Juodaitis with a single to load the bases. Smith scored on a ground out by sophomore rightfielder Maggie Graham.

Rowan All-American shortstop Shilah Snead led off the bottom of the first with a home run and the Profs added two more runs in the third. Snead reached on infield hit and Mia Baldassari walked. Both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt before clean-up hitter Morgan Smith rapped a two-run double down the rightfield line.

Sophomore Mackenzie Marquis (17-7) took the loss. She allowed three runs in three innings on four hits with three walks and a strikeout. Senior Jenna Noland worked three shutout innings of relief, allowing one hit and striking out one.

Juodaitis (8-2) got the win in relief, pitching the final four shutout innings, allowing four hits.

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