GAME STATS Elmhurst, Ill. – The Thunder softball team traveled to Elmhurst's Salt Creek Park on Tuesday for Wheaton's first CCIW doubleheader of the 2024 season, as the original conference opener on April 3 was postponed due to rain. Wheaton won today's first game against the Bluejays, 5-2. The second game of the doubleheader was suspended due to darkness at the end of the eighth inning with the game tied at 1-1. The two squads are tentatively scheduled to resume game two on April 15 at 5:30 p.m. at Salt Creek Park.

Wheaton won today's first game 5-2 as the Thunder scored five runs, on 12 hits, with two errors. The Bluejays tallied two runs, on nine hits, with two errors. Thunder starting pitcher Alese Antonello earned a complete game victory in seven innings of work. The senior allowed two runs, including just one earned run as she scattered nine hits. Antonello struck out six Elmhurst batters and walked just two.

Olivia Nahorniak shined in the opener with a 4-for-4 effort at the plate with a double, two RBI, and one run scored. Sydney Broderick was 3-for-4, scoring once. Abby Whitehead was 2-for-3 with one RBI. Antonello helped her own cause at the plate as she went 2-for-3, with one RBI.

Wheaton gained its first lead with a run in the top of the first inning to take a 1-0 advantage. Broderick hit a two-out infield single, and Nahorniak hit a double to right centerfield in the next at bat to drive in Broderick. The Bluejay scored an unearned run in the bottom of the third inning to tie the contest at 1-1. Elmhurst gained a 2-1 lead with one run in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Wheaton regained the lead with a 5-2 advantage as the Thunder scored four runs in the top of the fifth inning. Wheaton gained a 3-1 lead on a two-run single by Nahorniak. Antonello drove in a run with a RBI single, and Whitehead drove in a run on a sacrifice fly. Antonello kept the Bluejays off the scoreboard in the final three innings as Wheaton earned the 5-2 road victory.

In the second contest that was suspended in a 1-1 tie after eight innings, the Thunder had seven hits and zero errors. Elmhurst collected six hits and committed one error. Each team scored their run in their respective portion of the sixth inning. Nahorniak hit a one-out double in the bottom of the sixth inning and she scored on a passed ball three batters later.
Nahorniak is 2-4 in the suspended game. Broderick, Whitehead, Madison Forberg, Paige Andrews, and Elizabeth Meyer have one hit. Nahorniak and Whitehead each have s double, with a run scored for Nahorniak.

Andrews started the game in the circle, pitching four scoreless innings. She scattered four hits, with two strikeouts and one walk. Freshman pitcher Shylah Dozeman has worked four innings, allowing one run, on two hits, with three strikeouts, and two walks.

Wheaton returns to action tomorrow afternoon when it travels to St. Mary's College (Ind.) for a twice rescheduled doubleheader against the Belles. Tomorrow's twinbill is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m.