MOUNT PLEASANT – Pounding out 26 hits over two games, the Iowa Wesleyan College softball team easily swept a non-conference doubleheader against Knox (Ill.) College Thursday at the Mapleleaf Community Complex.
The Tigers defeated the Prairie Fire by scores of 8-0 and 9-1, with both games ending before the scheduled seven innings due to the eight-run mercy rule. IWC improved to 8-12 this season and has now won six of its last eight games.
Sarah Weber (Jr.-Danville, Ill.) drove in five runs on the night and Hilarie Droz (Sr.-Ottumwa, Iowa) had five hits over the two games. Pitchers Sarah McCleary (Fr.-Elgin, Ill.) and Brooke Iversen (So.-Earlville, Ill.) both picked up complete game wins, allowing a total of just five hits and no earned runs.
Weber had three doubles and four RBIs as the Tigers’ top five hitters had nine hits in the first game. Kelley Bettag (Fr.-Dale, Ind.) added three hits, including a double and a triple, and also drove in two runs. On the mound McCleary pitched a six-inning shutout, allowing just three hits while striking out five.
Wesleyan was even more dominant in the second game, hammering out 14 hits in five innings. Droz delivered the big blast with a grand slam in the second inning, while Weber and Kara Harris (Jr.-Barry, Ill.) both added two hits as well. The run support was more than enough for Iversen, who pitched all five innings and allowed just two hits and one unearned run in the first inning when the Tigers briefly fell behind before coming back with two runs in the bottom of the first.
Knox (4-5 overall) was led by Brianna Williams, who had two hits on the night and drove in the Prairie Fire’s only run.
IWC is scheduled to play in the Robert Morris College Invitational this weekend in Bensenville, Ill. Weather permitting, the Tigers open at 3 p.m. on Saturday against the host Eagles and will play four games over two days.
For more information regarding the IWC softball program or any of the Tiger athletic teams, contact sports information director Adam Glatczak (319-385-6306 phone; 319-385-6384 FAX; aglatczak@iwc.edu e-mail) or log on to IWC's athletics web site at www.iwc.edu/athletics.
Box score Game 1 IWC 8 Knox 0
Box score Game 2 IWC 9 Knox 1
