Scots Capture Win To Open Tournament

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The College of Wooster softball team split a pair of games to open the Illinois Wesleyan Tournament on Saturday.

In game one, Wooster snapped a seven-game skid with a 7-6 win over the University of Wisconsin Eau-Claire.

Wooster found holes in the defense to jump to a 4-0 lead in the third inning behind RBI singles from senior Sarah Lodge and junior Katie Mommers. Wisconsin Eau-Claire got one back in the bottom of the inning, but Wooster answered with a three-run fourth.

Juniors Emma Hetkey and Cate Barkdoll collected their first RBI while Lodge notched number two with a groundout to first, which made it a 7-1 game.

Wooster finished with eight hits, all of which were singles.

On the mound, first-year Jillian Meszaros had a great outing through five innings, allowing just one run and one hit. However, Wisconsin Eau-Clare (17-4) got to her in the sixth, ending with five runs in the inning to make it a one-run game.

Conner came in to stop the bleeding and did just enough to get out of the inning with the lead intact. Conner then pitched a three up and three down seventh to complete her first save.

In game two, Illinois Wesleyan University led 4-1 through six innings before scoring eight in the sixth to open the game up for its 12-2 win.

Wooster led first, scoring a run in the opening frame after taking advantage of an error. However, Illinois Wesleyan would tie it in the third and later take the lead in the fourth, which they kept the rest of the way.

Wooster collected seven hits, all singles again. Hetkey led the pack with a 3-for-4 performance, while Meszaros went 2-for-4. Lodge also had a hit, extending her hitting streak to 11 games.

Starter Tori Conner went four innings, giving up three earned runs, while Kaitlyn Hale pitched two innings of relief, allowing one earned run. Lynnsey Delio pitched the final inning.

Wooster (6-14) will see both teams again on Sunday to conclude the weekend.