Iowa Wesleyan softball begins

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Iowa Wesleyan University softball season is underway, as the Tigers traveled to Kansas City for a four-game stretch as part of the 2023 NAIA Spring Invite. Iowa Wesleyan left Kansas City with an 0-4 record.

The Tigers faced four different teams in the tournament. Iowa Wesleyan fell in a 10-9 heartbreaker against Park University in Game 1, then dropped games 12-4(5) to Avila University, 9-0(5) to Tabor College and 9-1(5) against Missouri Valley.

Iowa Wesleyan got off to a hot start against Park, leading 2-0 early in the game and then holding an 8-3 lead after the fourth inning. The Pirates came right back with three runs in the bottom of the fifth, and after a Tiger run in the top of the sixth made it 9-6, Park plated four more in the bottom of the inning.

Despite the loss, junior pitcher Aspyn Harrison showed her worth at the plate, finishing the night 4-for-4 with an RBI. Gracie Jevyak had a big game as well, going 2-for-4 with four RBIs.

Harrison gave up 10 runs (nine earned) over a complete-game six innings. She struck out three Pirates but also gave up three home runs.

The Tigers were already down 12-0 against Avila when the offense started to rattle the bats in the fourth inning. Kelsey Topliff broke the Tigers’ scoreless streak with a bases-clearing double that brought home three runs, and Kara Krieger delivered another one inning later to bring the game to 12-4.

Three pitchers threw against Avila. Jordan Morthland picked up the loss, giving up seven earned runs over two innings.

Iowa Wesleyan picked up just four hits in the 9-0 loss to Tabor Colleg. Thompson was tagged with the loss in that one.

Iowa Wesleyan held another lead against Missouri Valley, as Adrianna Jarrett knocked in Harrison with an RBI single in the first inning. The Tigers would give up the next nine runs of the game, as Molter gave up nine runs (six earned) over four innings to earn a loss in the circle.

The Iowa Wesleyan softball team is now 0-4 heading into a four-game series at Lyon College this weekend.