Wheaton, Ill. – The Thunder softball team closed out the home portion of its schedule on Tuesday with a CCIW doubleheader against Elmhurst. Wheaton won the opener 8-2 and the Bluejays defeated the Thunder 11-3 in the second game.

Wheaton picked up the 8-2 victory in the first game as the Thunder scored eight runs, on 13 hits, with three errors and Elmhurst scored two runs, on three hits with four errors. Junior starting pitcher Kendall Kehres (7-11) earned the win in seven innings. She allowed two runs, including one earned run, on three hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

Thunder sophomore Hannah Clark was 4-for-4 at the plate, with two runs scored, one RBI and three stolen bases. Sophomore Jaclyn McLean had a 3-for-4 effort with one RBI. Morgan Ryan and Lauren Meurer each had a 2-for-4 effort. Meagan Neuhaus, Kelly Thornton and Ryan each collected a double for the Thunder.

Elmhurst scored one run in the top of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. Sage Miller drove in a run and Ryan had a RBI-single in the bottom of the second inning to give the Thunder a 2-1 lead. The Bluejays scored a run in the top of the second inning to tie the matchup at 2-2.

The Thunder scored four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to give the hosts a 4-2 lead. Miller drove in a run for the Thunder, McLean hit a RBI-single and Thornton belted a RBI-double. Thornton scored on an Elmhurst error.

Wheaton added two more runs in the bottom of the fifth inning as Neuhaus hit a RBI-double and Clark drove in a run with a RBI-single. The two sixth-inning runs account for Wheaton's 8-2 victory in the opener.

The Bluejays won the nightcap 11-3 as Elmhurst scored 11 runs, on 13 hits, with three errors and Wheaton scored three runs, on four hits, with four errors. Senior pitcher Abby Butler pitched 3-1/3 innings in her final Wheaton home game. She allowed two runs, on four hits. Jaclyn McLean pitched 1/3 of an inning, allowing four runs, including three earned runs, on four hits. Kehres worked 2/3 of an inning. Kehres allowed five runs, including two earned runs, on five hits, with three walks.

Neuhaus, Ryan, McLean and Thornton each had a hit in the game for the hosts. Ryan hit a double for Wheaton. Clark scored twice and stole two bases.

In the top of the first inning, Miller drove in one run and Ryan hit a RBI-double to leftfield as Wheaton held a 2-0 lead in the top of the first. Elmhurst scored nine runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to gain a 9-2 lead.

Clark stole home in the top of the fifth inning as Wheaton cut the Bluejays' lead to 9-3. Elmhurst scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to account for the 11-3 final score.

Wheaton will conclude the season Saturday at Illinois Wesleyan. Saturday's CCIW doubleheader begins at 1:00 p.m. in Bloomington.