BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- The North Park University softball team was swept in a nonconference doubleheader by Illinois Wesleyan University on Friday afternoon, falling 8-0 in the opener before a 7-3 loss in the second game Inspiration Field.

In game one, Illinois Wesleyan jumped out early and never relinquished control, scoring two runs in the first inning and adding four more in the third to secure the six-inning shutout. The Titans finished with 10 hits and two home runs, while North Park managed four hits and stranded three runners. Miabella Collazo, Eden Baker, Kathryn Keehn, and Chloe Bader each recorded a hit for the Vikings. Gianna Certa threw a complete-game shutout for Illinois Wesleyan, limiting North Park to four hits while striking out four.

The Vikings showed improvement at the plate in game two, collecting 11 hits and scoring three runs, but Illinois Wesleyan again built an early advantage. The Titans scored three runs in the first inning and added three more in the third to take command. North Park got on the board in the fourth and plated two additional runs in the seventh, but the comeback attempt fell short.

Eden Baker and Kayla Sapolu each had two-hit performances in the nightcap, with Sapolu driving in two runs. Katie Patton finished 3-for-3 at the plate, while Collazo and Bader also contributed hits. North Park pitchers combined for six innings of work, striking out one, as Illinois Wesleyan totaled eight hits in the game.

With the losses, North Park dropped to 10-14 overall, (2-4 CCIW) while Illinois Wesleyan improved to 17–11, 4-0 on the season.

What's Next?

North Park plays in a neutral site game on Monday, April 13, for a doubleheader with Wisconsin-Stevens Point at Catalyst Park in Mequon, Wisconsin.