ELMHURST, Ill. – The Elmhurst softball team opened CCIW play by dropping a doubleheader to Illinois Wesleyan University. The Bluejays fell 5-0 in game one and 3-0 in game two.

Elmhurst slid to 5-11 overall and 0-2 in conference play with the losses. Illinois Wesleyan upped its record to 13-3 overall and 6-0 in the CCIW.
 
ILLINOIS WESLEYAN 5, ELMHURST 0 (Game One) – The Titans scored three runs in the third inning and IWU pitcher Ally Wiegand shut down the Bluejays to give the Titans the game one victory.
 
The Titans broke a scoreless tie in the top of the third. With a runner at second and two outs, IWU strung together four straight singles to plate three runs. IWU tacked on insurance runs in the fourth and fifth innings to extend their lead to 5-0.
 
Wiegand went the distance for the Titans to record the shutout. She pitched all seven innings, allowing just four hits while striking out nine. Weigand allowed a single in the first and second and then retired the next 13 batters in the contest.  The Bluejays recorded two hits in the seventh, but a double-play ended the scoring threat and the game.
 
Tara Cannella collected two of Elmhurst's four hits in the loss.
 
Emily Despain took the loss for the Bluejays, dropping to 3-5 on the season. Despain worked all seven innings, allowing 11 hits and four earned runs. She did not issue a walk and struck out three.
 
ILLINOIS WESLEYAN 3, ELMHURST 0 (Game Two) – The Titans completed the doubleheader sweep with a 2-0 victory in game two.
 
IWU broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the fifth with a two-run bases loaded single from Brittany Murphy. The Titans had runners on the corners with two outs, but a walk loaded the bases and Murphy delivered on a 1-2 count with a single to left field to plate two runs. IWU tacked on an insurance run in the sixth.
 
Titans' pitcher Mackenzie Marquis tossed a complete game shutout while picking up the victory. Marquis retired the first nine batters of the Elmhurst lineup before giving up a leadoff infield single to Mia Riese in the fourth inning. She allowed just three hits and one walk while striking out two.
 
Riese collected two of Elmhurst's three hits in the loss.
 
Bailee Krantz made the start for the Bluejays and took the loss. Krantz worked 4.2 innings, allowing seven hits and two runs. She walked three and fanned three. Stefania Passarelli finished up in relief, tossing the final 1.2 innings and allowing one hit and one run with two walks.
 
Elmhurst plays at Carthage College on Wednesday, April 4.