Illinois Wesleyan softball falls to MIT in NCAA finals opener

Posted on May 27, 2016

By WJBC Staff

SALEM, Va. – The Illinois Wesleyan softball team lost a 2-0 decision to Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the first round of the NCAA Division III Softball Championships in Salem, Va., on Thursday.

The Titans are 35-12 and will play on Friday at 1:30 p.m. ET against Rowan University. The Profs (40-10) were 9-6 losers to Messiah in the final game of the day. MIT improved to 33-12 and will play at 4 p.m. ET against Messiah.

In a game that had a 41-minute lightning delay between the first and second innings, MIT broke a scoreless game in the sixth inning when shortstop Amanda Lee doubled to left center and scored with two outs on a single to left by catcher Ali Trueworthy.

MIT added a run in the seventh when Monica Shifflet led off with single and came around to score from second when centerfielder Jasmin Joseph bunted and two IWU errors let her get to third base.

Both teams stranded seven runners and IWU had two terrific chances to score. In the fifth, sophomore rightfielder Maggie Graham singled and advanced to third on freshman centerfielder Jillian Runyon’s bunt hit and an error. Runyon stole second to get runners on second and third.
After senior shortstop Sam Gudat flied out to rightfield and senior second baseman Laura Bonds popped out to the third baseman and senior leftfielder Mary Rankin grounded out to short.

Senior Jenna Noland went the distance in the circle for IWU, allowing seven hits and two runs (one earned) with three strikeouts and three walks.

Senior lefthander Alexandra Marshall (26-10) was the winning pitcher, allowing seven hits and striking out six. She choked off a threat in the bottom of the fourth when Bonds led off with single to right and Rankin and senior catcher Danielle Smith, who had three hits, both got on with bunt singles to load the bases. But two strikeouts and an infield popout left the bases loaded.

If Illinois Wesleyan beats Rowan on Friday, the Titans would face the loser of the game between MIT and Messiah in an elimination game at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.

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