Mixed results during two doubleheaders for softball

April 12 2018
After splitting a shortened doubleheader against Benedictine University, the Wheaton College softball team lost both games in a conference doubleheader against Carroll University.
Last Thursday, April 5, Wheaton’s first game against Benedictine was quite lopsided. With a final score of 13-2, the Eagles were able to score when the Thunder simply could not. Wheaton’s only runs of the game came from a two-run homer that sophomore outfielder Maddy Bonetto hit in the bottom of the fifth; junior outfielder Beka Beherns was on base and scored.
The next day turned out to hold a very different result for both teams. This time, Wheaton emerged victorious after a 16-5 final score. Starting pitcher Kelly Thornton pitched the first 2-⅔ innings and pitched pretty well. Thornton allowed five runs, six hits and two walks and threw two strikeouts.
Earning the win, senior Kelly Kehres pitched in relief for the final 2-1/3 innings and allowed no runs, two hits and threw one strikeout.
From home plate, Wheaton’s batters were successful time and time again. Thornton spent time batting and was 2-for-3, hit a double, scored three times, drove in two runs, and had one walk. Sophomore Melody Rodriguez was 3-for-4, hit a double and drove in five runs throughout the game. Also 3-for-4 in the second game, junior shortstop Hannah Clark scored three times and had two RBI. Sophomore Maddy Bonetto also drove in three runs, and senior centerfielder Julia Arthur scored once on a 2-for-2 day herself. Senior Megan Neuhaus was 2-for-3 on the day, hit a double, drove in two runs, and scored three times. Junior outfielder Beka Behrens scored once, was 2-for-3 from the plate, and had an RBI.
Wheaton had a strong start in the bottom of the first inning by taking a 4-0 lead, and the Thunder continued to push forward with four more runs in the bottom of the second inning to pull away to an 8-0 leader. At the top of the third, the Eagles attempted a valiant comeback by scoring five runs to cut Wheaton’s lead to three runs. In the bottom of the third, Wheaton scored three runs and would go on to score five more in the bottom of the fourth.
Wheaton’s doubleheader against Carroll University on Tuesday, April 10, was quite different from their game last Friday. The Pioneers swept both games, and won the first game in dominating fashion.
The final score of the first game was 11-0 with Carroll emerging victorious after five innings thanks to a phenomenal no-hitter game by Carroll’s pitcher. After a scoreless first inning, the Pioneers scored six runs in the top of the second inning, then five runs in the top of the third.
In the second game, Wheaton was able to find the bat, make it to base and score on multiple occasions.
Sophomore infielder Morgan Ryan was 3-for-4 during the game, hit two doubles, with two RBI and one run. Neuhaus had another successful night at bat going 2-for-4 from home plate; Rodriguez, junior third-baseman Hannah Clark and Thornton all had hits as well.
Wheaton took another early lead thanks to two runs in the top of the first. Carroll retaliated in the bottom of the first inning, kept Wheaton scoreless in the top of the second, and gain a 3-2 after the bottom of the second. Wheaton tied the game at 3-3 with a third inning run.
After gaining a 5-3 lead in the bottom of the third, the Pioneers continued their offensive success with two more runs in the bottom of the fourth and another in the bottom of the sixth. Thanks to a run by each team in the seventh inning, the final score ended up being 8-4.
The Wheaton women’s softball team will host another CCIW doubleheader against North Park University, this afternoon at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Then, the Thunder will travel to Millikin University on Friday, April 13, for another CCIW doubleheader that afternoon.