Elmhurst, Ill. – The Thunder softball team traveled to Salt Creek Park in Elmhurst on Monday to play a doubleheader against the Elmhurst University Bluejays that was originally scheduled for last Thursday but was moved to today due to rain. The host Bluejays swept the Thunder as Elmhurst defeated Wheaton 4-1 in the first game and EU topped the guests 5-3 in the second game.
Wheaton returns home tomorrow for another rescheduled game as the Thunder host Rockford for a twinbill that begins at 3:00 p.m. tomorrow is the second doubleheader of four for the Thunder this week. The string of twinbills will continue on Friday against Augustana at 3:00 p.m. and concludes on Saturday with "Senior Day" against Augustana at 1:00 p.m.
Elmhurst won today's first game 4-1 as the hosts scored four runs, on seven hits, with zero errors and Wheaton tallied one run, on six hits, with three errors. Thunder starting pitcher
Shylah Dozeman worked four innings, allowing three runs, with zero earned runs, on four hits, with eight strikeouts and one walk. Freshman reliever
Dillon Watson allowed one run, on three hits, with one walk.
Livi Figueroa was 2-for-3 at the plate for the Thunder in the opener.
Ava Hartnett,
Abby Whitehead,
Mia Reinhard, and Madeline Hillyer each collected a single.
Elmhurst scored the game's first run in the bottom of the second inning to take a 1-0 lead. Wheaton responded with a run in the top of the third inning to tie the game at 1-1. Hartnett hit a one-out single in the third inning and stole second base. She scored two batters later on a single by Reinhard. Elmhurst regained the lead with two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and the hosts added a run in the bottom of the fifth inning to account for the 4-1 final score.
The Bluejays accomplished the sweep with a 5-3 victory in the second game. EU scored five runs on 11 hits, with no errors and Wheaton had three runs, on nine hits, with zero errors. Thunder starting pitcher allowed four earned runs, on seven hits, in 2-2/3 innings.
Kennedy Kemp pitched two innings of relief, allowing one runs, on three hits, with one strikeout. Dozeman worked 1-1/3 innings of scoreless relief, with one hit allowed.
Hartnett was 3-for-3, with a triple as she drove in one run. Figueroa was 2-for-3 in the second game. Kemp hit a double, while Whitehead, Hillyer and
Gracey Rockness each hit a single.
Elmhurst scored four runs in the bottom of the third inning to gain a 4-0 lead. Hartnett hit a triple in the top of the fourth inning to drive Kemp home as Wheaton cut the hosts' lead to 4-1.
The hosts added a run in the bottom of the fifth inning to take a 5-1 lead. Kemp hit a two-run double in the top of the sixth inning to account for the 5-3 final score.
