Wheaton, Ill – The Wheaton softball team hosted University of Chicago on Friday in a key non-conference doubleheader with Division III Great Lakes Region implications. Chicago defeated Wheaton 1-0 in eight innings in the first game and the Maroons also earned a 1-0 victory in the second game. Wheaton (27-11) entered today's matchup ranked second in the most recent NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional Poll and Chicago (23-6) is sixth.

In the opener, the Chicago scored one run, on six hits with one error. Wheaton was scoreless on no runs with no hits and no errors. Chicago starting pitcher Jordan Poole (7-3) tossed a no-hitter in eight innings as she walked four and struck out seven. Wheaton starter Katie Thornton matches Poole pitch for pitch in taking the tough loss. Thornton worked eight innings, allowing six hits, with one run and nine strikeouts.

Wheaton's best opportunity to score came in the bottom of the seventh inning. Thunder senior Christina Sandstedt hit a long fly ball that was misplayed in the Chicago outfield putting a runner at second base for the hosts with one out. However, Poole struck out the next two Wheaton batters to get out of the jam and keep her no-hitter intact.

Chicago's Maeve Garvey singled to left field and a single through the Thunder infield by Serena Moss brought Garvey home for the only run the Maroons would need to earn the win.
Chicago earned the sweep with a 1-0 victory in the nightcap as the Maroons scored one run, on two hits with two errors and Wheaton was scoreless on three hits with no errors. Thornton (20-7) took the loss in seven innings of work. She held Chicago to just two hits, with one run and three strikeouts. Chicago starter Molly Moran (8-3) earned the win in seven innings. She scattered three hits, allowed no runs, with one walk and four strikeouts.

Thunder freshman Hannah Clark was 1-for-2 at the plate for the Thunder. Senior Alyssa Leonard was 1-for-3 with a stolen base. Katie Thornton was 1-for-2, with a double and a walk.

Chicago broke a scoreless tie with one run in the top of the fifth inning. Colleen Bennett hit a one-out bloop infield single for the guests. Carly Schulz hit a long double to centerfield that brought Bennett home to give the Maroons a 1-0 lead. Wheaton's best scoring opportunity in the game came in the bottom of the sixth inning when Katie Thornton hit a double down the rightfield line. However, the senior was stranded at second base on a pair of ground outs by the Thunder as Chicago escaped with its 1-0 advantage.

Wheaton will return to action on Thursday May 5 at the 2016 CCIW Softball Tournament.