Wheaton, Ill. – The Thunder softball team swept Benedictine (10-6) in a non-conference doubleheader on Thursday afternoon. Wheaton topped the Eagles 9-1 in five innings in the first game and the hosts picked up a 2-1 victory in the nightcap.

Senior pitcher Katie Thornton (9-3) earned the win in both outings today. She held the Eagles to just one run and three hits in her seven innings of work today. Freshman infielder Hannah Clark was 4-for-5 at the plate with two RBI and two stolen bases.

Wheaton is now 14-4 on the season. The Thunder will host Augustana on Saturday at 1 PM in the CCIW-opening doubleheader.

Wheaton picked up a 9-1 victory in today's first game as the Thunder scored nine runs, on six hits, with two errors and Benedictine tallied one run on two hits with four errors. Katie Thornton (PICTURED LEFT) earned the win in five innings as she held the Eagles to one run, on two hits, with one walk and six strikeouts. Thornton held Benedictine hitless through the first three innings of the game.

Clark was 2-for-3 at the plate in the game with a pair of RBI and a stolen base. Katie Thornton helped her own cause with a 1-for-2 effort, including a double and a pair of RBI.

Wheaton tallied three runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a 3-0 lead. Sandstedt drove in the first run of the game with a RBI-single to right field. Kelly Thornton's single through the left side of the infield drove in a pair of runs to give Wheaton the early 3-0 lead.

Christina Sandstedt drove in a run in the bottom of the second inning. Katie Thornton drove in a pair of runs with a RBI double in the second to increase Wheaton's lead to 6-0.
Wheaton added two more runs in the bottom of the third inning. A bunt single by Clark scored Kelly Thornton and Emily Bonga crossed home plate on a Benedictine error to increase Wheaton's lead to 8-0.

The Eagles scored a run in the top of the fourth for an 8-1 Wheaton lead. Clark drove in a run in the bottom of the fifth inning with a RBI-single that brought Katie Yergler home to account for the 9-1 final score.

Wheaton rallied in the second game to earn a 2-1 victory against the Eagles. The Thunder scored two runs, on seven hits with no errors and Benedictine tallied one run, on five hits with no errors. Clark was 2-for-2 in the game with a stolen base. Yergler (PICTURED RIGHT) was 2-for-3 with one RBI.

Starting pitcher Abby Butler worked four innings, allowing one earned run, on four hits with one strikeout. Thornton pitched three innings of scoreless relief in earning the win. She held the Eagles to one hit with one walk and five strikeouts.

Benedictine scored a run in the top of the first inning to take the early 1-0 lead.

Katie Thornton drew a two-out walk in the bottom of the fourth inning and advanced to second base on a single by senior Ellen Radandt. Sophie Kent served as a pinch runner for Thornton and replaced her at second base. Kelly Thornton followed Radandt with a RBI-single to center field that brought Kent home to tie the game at 1-1.

In the bottom of the sixth inning Katie Thornton hit a leadoff single to right field. Yergler followed three batters later and stepped up to the plate with two outs. The senior outfielder slammed a triple to the fence in left centerfield to drive in Thornton and give Wheaton its first lead of the game at 2-1. The Thunder held Benedictine off in the top of the seventh inning to secure the win and the sweep.