Jack Sweeney, Staff Writer
There was no shortage of defense and incredible pitching on Saturday, April 11 when the eighth-ranked Illinois Wesleyan University Titans faced the fourteenth-ranked Washington University Bears.
The Bears were looking for redemption after falling to the Titans earlier in the year 6-5, but the Titans had other ideas.
Game One
Senior Chloe Montgomery started the first game for the Titans, and she was dominant. She threw a no-hitter into the top of the sixth inning and ended up with 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER and the win.
The game remained tied through five innings until senior Hannah Bowen knocked in teammate junior Sam Gudat with a two-out single. This gave the Titans the lead for good.
First-year Amanda Lack helped extend the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning with a single up the middle, which scored junior teammate Danielle Smith. Montgomery and the Titans were able to shut out the Bears offense for the first time all season, with a final score of 2-0 in the first game of the double-header.
Game Two
It did not take nearly as long for the Titans to score in the second game of Saturday’s double-header. Catcher Danielle Smith singled in Bowen early in the first inning to give the Titans the lead 1-0. Then in the second, Montgomery and Gudat hit RBI singles, which gave the Titans a three run lead they would not lose.
Junior pitcher Jenna Noland was awarded the win. She pitched 3.2 innings and only gave up two hits and no earned runs. The final score was 3-1 and the Titans completed the season sweep of the Washington University Bears.
What It Means
While the Titans are not overly concerned with their national rank, beating the fourteenth-ranked team twice in one day could only help. With four games left and a 22-4 record, the Titans appear a strong favorite to win the CCIW Championship.
After losing to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the NCAA Super-Regional last year, the Titans look to advance even further this year.
The Titans will close out their non-conference play Tuesday against Depauw University with a double-header. The College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin Championships will take place May 1-2.