The Illinois Wesleyan softball team has proven themselves to be a formidable opponent in the CCIW this week. After sweeping doubleheaders against Monmouth College and Illinois College on Friday, March 25 and Monday, March 28, respectively, the Titans 9-7 for the season so far.
The College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin took note of the Titans this week and junior Madison Moore and sophomore Bailey Turner CCIW Player of the Week titles.
CCIW Hitter of the Week recipient Moore ranks second in the CCIW in triples, fifth in walks and eighth in hits. Moore went 7-for-14 against the Scots and the Lady Blues, whacking out a team-leading seven hits over the span of four games.
Turner stood solid at the pitcher’s mound, garnering CCIW Pitcher of the Week due to her performances this week. She caused three strikeouts against Illinois College, leading to the second shutout in her collegiate career.
Turner’s defense from the mound turned out to be just as strong as her offense, protecting the Titans with multiple diving saves against the Lady Blues.
Monmouth College (8-0, 6-5)
Despite being team leaders in the Titans’ 4-0 record, Moore and Turner were not alone on the field. In the first against Augie, senior Hayley Earl knocked the Scots out of the park.
Earl remained the Titans’ hard-hitter from the plate with a 3-for-3 record, including two homers that gave the Titans a sweeping 8-0 victory. Thanks to Earl’s final homer, the Titans ended the first game with a walk-off grand slam.
Junior Mikayla Fairfield led the Titans in the second Monmouth game, slugging out 2-for-4 from home plate. Moore also provided a 2-for-4 hitting percentage, including an RBI and a run.
Illinois College (3-1, 1-0)
The beauty of the Titans’ double victories against Illinois College came directly from the pitcher’s mound. Junior Natalie Grubczak managed to strike out nine players over the seven-inning first game and allowed only one run to slip through.
Sophomore Megan Fontanetta, junior Mikayla Fairfield and Moore controlled the Titans’ offense, allowing for a cumulative 13-6 percentage at-bat against the Lady Blues. Fontanetta and Moore both went 3-for-5 in the first game, followed closely by Fairfield with 2-for-5.
Fontanetta also set the team-high in the second game against IC, knocking out 2-for-5 hits while fellow offensive leader Earl managed the only RBI of the game.
The IWU softball team will get the chance to keep the hot streak up in a home tournament from April 2-3 against Illinois College, UChicago and UW-Whitewater.