PICTURED ABOVE: Morgan Ryan was 4-for-8 in Thursday's doubleheader with five RBI.

Wheaton, Ill. – The Wheaton softball team split a CCIW doubleheader with North Park on Thursday afternoon at Ruth Leedy Field. The Thunder won the finale 8-3 in eight innings with a dramatic top of the eighth inning for the hosts. North Park was a 5-4 victor in today's first game.

Wheaton defeated the Vikings 8-3 in the nightcap as the Thunder scored eight runs, on nine hits, with one error and North Park registered three runs, on seven hits, with two errors. Thunder starting pitcher Kelly Thornton allowed two runs, including one earned run, on four hits, in 4-1/3 innings of work. Kendall Kehres (PICTURED LEFT) picked up the victory in 3-2/3 innings of relief. Kehres allowed one run, on three hits. Kehres also helped her cause as she drove in the game-winning run on a RBI-single with her first career RBI in the top of the eighth inning.

Morgan Ryan was 3-for-5, with three RBI for the Thunder. Thornton was 2-for-2 a grand slam in the top of the eighth inning to help Wheaton secure the win. She drove in four runs in the game, scoring twice.

North Park scored one run in the bottom of the third inning to gain 1-0 lead on the Thunder. Wheaton scored twice in the top of the fifth inning to take a 2-1 lead. Ryan drove in two runs with a two-run single down the right field line as Abby Hancock and Thornton quickly scampered home to give Wheaton its first lead of the game. North Park tied the game at 2-2 with a run in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Wheaton took a 3-2 lead with a run in the top of the seventh inning. Thunder leadoff hitter Julia Arthur reached on a NPU error and scored four batters later on a RBI-single to right center field by Ryan. The Vikings tied the game at 3-3 with a run in the bottom of the seventh inning to send the game to extra innings.

Wheaton broke the game open with five runs in the top of the eighth inning. Megan Neuhaus led off the inning with a single down the left field line and Ali Kent drew a walk. Kehres stepped up to the plate for just her fifth career at bat and hit a single to right field that brought Neuhaus home to give the Thunder a 4-3 lead. Hannah Clark drew a walk in the at bat that Followed Kehres' to load the bases. Thornton blasted a grand slam over the center field fence to account for Wheaton's 8-3 victory.

The Vikings won today's opener 5-4 as North Park scored five runs, on six hits, with one error. Wheaton tallied four runs, on six hits, with four errors. Kehres pitched seven innings, allowing five runs, including three earned runs, on six hits, with five strikeouts.

Thornton (PICTURED RIGHT) hit a double and drew a walk for the hosts and Maddy Bonetto added a double in the sixth inning. Clark, Ryan, Beka Behrens and Arthur each hit a single for the Thunder. Clark swiped two bases in the opener.

Wheaton scored two runs in the bottom of the third inning to snap a scoreless tie. Arthur and Ali Kent scored on a RBI-single by Ryan to give Wheaton a 2-0 lead in the third. North Park responded with three runs in the top of the fourth inning to give Vikings a 3-2 lead.

The Vikings extended their lead to 5-2 with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth inning. Bonetto hit a two-run double in the bottom of the sixth inning to cut the Vikings' lead to 5-4. North Park held on to earn the 5-4 victory.
Wheaton travels to Millikin Friday for a CCIW doubleheader against the Big Blue in Decatur.