IW Athletics
Anna Zander, Sports Information Director

MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa – The Iowa Wesleyan softball team hosted Greenville University in a SLIAC double-header.  The Panthers entered the day in second place in the conference standings, and Iowa Wesleyan picked up two big wins after defeating Greenville 3-2 and 9-2.

Iowa Wesleyan outhit the Panthers 8-3 in the opening game.  Despite the advantage, the Tigers would need all seven innings to get the win.  Greenville took a 2-0 lead in the first inning, and Iowa Wesleyan wouldn’t get on the board until the fourth inning.  Alex Eyman drove in the first run with a single up the middle which brought home Ashley Machholz.

Morgan Christner settled in after giving up the two early runs. Christner and the Tiger defense shut down the Panthers through the final six innings.  Iowa Wesleyan came to the plate in their final at bat looking to make something happen. With two on, McKenzie Copher advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt.  Emmy Rodriguez drove in the tying run with a single up the middle. Kayla Ford came to the plate and doubled to left center to give IW the walkoff win.

Ford led the Tigers with two hits.  In the circle, Morgan Christner picked up the win after allowing just three hits and striking out nine.

In game two, Iowa Wesleyan struck first with three runs in the first inning. Emma McDanel put IW on the board first with an RBI double. Morgan Christner followed with a two run home run to put the Tigers up 3-0.

Greenville answered with a run in the second, but Iowa Wesleyan came back with a run in each of the third and fourth innings. They added three runs in the bottom of the fifth to go up 8-1.  McKena Woolery had an RBI double, and Allison Daum drove in two runs with a double down the left field line.

The Panthers picked up a run in the top of the sixth, but Iowa Wesleyan came back with a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning.  The IW defense shut down Greenville in the top of the seventh to secure the sweep.

Morgan Christner had a big game at the plate after going 4-4 with a home run.  Emma McDanel, Allison Daum, and Alex Eyman each finished with two hits a piece.  McDanel allowed two hits and struck out four in the win.

Iowa Wesleyan will host St. Louis College of Pharmacy tomorrow at the Mapleleaf Athletic Complex. The non-conference double-header is set for 1pm.  IW is now 20-7 overall and 9-3 in SLIAC play.