Wheaton, Ill. – The Thunder softball team entertained Illinois Wesleyan on Saturday afternoon under sunny skies at Ruth Leedy Field in a battle of nationally-ranked CCIW foes. The Titans earned a 3-1 victory in 10 innings to pick up the win in game one and IWU shut out the Thunder 4-0 in the nightcap. Wheaton entered today's key CCIW matchup ranked 24^th in the most recent NFCA Division III Coaches Poll and Illinois Wesleyan (21-5, 6-2 CCIW) is ranked eighth in the poll.

Wheaton is now 20-8 overall and 6-4 in CCIW play this season. The Thunder will host Hope College on Monday in a non-conference twin bill at 3:00 p.m.

Today's opener was a drama-filled 3-1 victory in 10 innings for the Titans. IWU scored three runs, on six hits with no errors and Wheaton registered one run on six hits with one error. Thunder starting pitcher Katie Thornton (14-5) took the loss for the hosts in 10 innings of work. She allowed three runs, including two earned runs, on six hits with five strikeouts and four walks. Jenna Noland (9-2) was the winning pitcher for the Titans. In 10 innings she allowed one run, on six hits, with 13 strikeouts and no walks.

Thornton helped her own cause at the plate with a 2-for-4 effort with a home run. Alyssa Leonard (PICTURED LEFT) hit a triple and Ellen Radandt connected with a double for the hosts.

The two squads battled through five scoreless innings. Wheaton's best scoring opportunity came in the fourth innings on back-to-back singles by Kelly and Katie Thornton to put runners at first and second with no outs. However, Noland got out of the jam to keep the scoreless tie intact.

In the top of the sixth inning, Illinois Wesleyan tied the game at 1-1 on a RBI-double by Julie Josten. Wheaton countered in the bottom of the sixth inning with a long solo home run over the left field fence by Katie Thornton to tie the game at 1-1.  

The game remained a pitcher's duel as each team collected just one hit over the next three innings as the Titans had a single in the seventh inning and Wheaton's Katie Yergler had a single in the bottom of the eighth.

In the top of the 10^th inning the Titans drew a leadoff walk followed by a RBI-single by Sam Gudat to give the Titans a 2-1 lead. Gudat later scored to account for the 3-1 victory.

Illinois Wesleyan won the second game 4-0 as the Titans scored four runs, on eight hits with no errors and Wheaton registered no runs, on four hits with two errors. Thunder starting pitcher Kendall Kehres worked (3-2) worked 1-1/3 innings for the hosts. She allowed four runs, on five hits. Abby Butler faced two batters in the contest, allowing two hits. Katie Thornton worked 4-2/3 innings of scoreless relief as she held the Titans to one hit with two walks and three strikeouts.

IWU starting pitcher Mackenzie Marquis (11-3) earned the win in six scoreless innings, allowing just three hits, with four walks and three strikeouts. Taylor Marvin pitched one inning of scoreless relief, allowing one hit.

Megan Neuhaus (PICTURED RIGHT) was 2-for-2 at the plate for the Thunder. Radandt collected a double for the hosts.

The Titans scored twice in the bottom of the first inning to take the early 2-0 lead. IWU added two more runs in the bottom of the second to account for the 4-0 win for the Titans.