Iowa Wesleyan softball sweeps home opener

MT. PLEASANT — It took 23 games for the Iowa Wesleyan softball team to finally return to Mapleleaf Athletic Complex in Mt. Pleasant, but the Tigers finally got to show out in front of their home fans on Thursday.

Iowa Wesleyan pitching allowed just four total runs for the visiting Waldorf Warriors. The Tigers beat Waldorf 4-1 in Game 1, and 4-3 in Game 2.

The Tigers scored two runs in the first inning, cashing in on an RBI single by Jordan Lantz to make it 1-0 and stretching that lead to 2-0 when Aspyn Harrison scored on an error.

Leading 2-1 in the fourth, the Tigers struck again. Karoline Stratton hit and RBI double, knocking Emma Haines in, and Nicole Shirrell scored on an error to make it 4-1.

Lantz finished the game 2-for-3 with an RBI to lead the team. Stratton was 1-for-3 with a double and an RBI, and Alexis Davis had an RBI as well.

Harrison had a fantastic outing in the circle. She threw all seven innings, giving up just one earned run on four hits and four walks, while striking out six batters.

Kylie Topliff gave the Tigers their first lead in Game 2 when she singled in Jordan Morthland. Wartburg would rally for three runs in the third inning, but the Tigers struck right back.

Down two runs in the bottom of the third, Lantz scored a Julia Hill on an RBI double. G Jevyak then gave the Tigers the lead with a one-out, two-RBI double, scoring Lantz and Harrison.

Waldort threatened in its final at-bat, putting a runner on first with one out, but Iowa Wesleyan’s Ariana Wolfard came in and got the last three outs to save the game.

Morthland earned the win in Game 2, giving up three unearned runs on nine hits and two walks, while striking out two batters.

The Tigers are now 7-18 on the season. They will next play at William Penn in a Tuesday doubleheader.