IW softball team splits weekend games

FULTON, Mo. - The Iowa Wesleyan softball team went 2-2 in their first four SLIAC games this weekend, sweeping Principia on Saturday and getting swept at Westminster on Sunday.

The Tigers started the weekend off on the right foot, taking down Principia 6-1 in game one and 13-5 in game two. The IW bats went ice cold on Sunday, however, falling 8-0 in both contests.

IW scored five runs in the second inning in game one on Saturday. McKenzie Copher brought two home on an error by the Principia third-basemen. Ashley Machholz knocked in two with a two-RBI single, and Morgan Christner scored one on an RBI-single. Christner brought home one more with an RBI-single in the fourth and Principia scored just one run in the bottom of the seventh.

Christner picked up the win in game one, giving up just one run over seven innings on just four hits and no walks, while striking out nine batters.

The Tigers put up four runs in the first inning of game two. Christner started things out with a bases-clearing three-RBI double, and Emily Rooney knocked in a run with an RBI-single. Principia scored two runs in the bottom of the first but the Tigers still enjoyed a 4-2 lead early.

IW busted the game open in the third inning, putting up six runs. Machholz had a two-RBI double to get things started. Emmy McDanel followed with an RBI single. Christner had an RBI single of her own. McDanel scampered home on an error by the catcher, and McKena Woolery made it 10-2 with a sacrifice fly.

The Tigers tacked three on in the fourth. Machholz, McDanel and Christner each had an RBI single to stretch the lead to 13-2. Principia did save face a little with a three-run homer in the fifth inning.

McDanel threw five innings to pick up the win. She gave up five runs (four earned) on eight hits and one walk, while striking out four batters.

IW had a rough couple of games in Fulton. In game one, Westminster scored three runs in the first, one in the third, three in the fourth and one more in the sixth.

Allison Daum went 2-2 in the loss. McDanel, Christner and Alex Eyman each went 1-3.

Christner went 5.1 innings in the loss, giving up eight earned runs on 11 hits and two walks, while striking out four batters.

Westminster scored two runs in the first, two more in the fourth and four in the sixth to take game two. IW was held to just two hits, both by Machholz, who went 2-3.

McDanel took the loss in game two, giving up eight runs (five earned) over 5.2 innings. She gave up 11 hits and two walks, and struck out two batters.

The Tigers moved to 9-6 overall after the weekend and 2-2 in conference play. They will begin a six-game homestand on Wednesday, March 27, when they take on Knox College in a doubleheader.