After three postponments, Mother Nature finally cooperated enough for the Benedictine University softball team to host Wheaton College for a Tuesday afternoon doubleheader. Benedictine downed the local non-conference opponent in two tight matchups, winning 3-2 and 2-1.
 
Both starters pitched out of jams in the first inning, as BenU's Melissa Guzior pitched over an error and Wheaton's Kenall Kehres overcame runners on second and third. In the second inning, Guzior surrendered a run, as Wheaton doubled and then singled two batters later to take a 1-0 lead.

After a 1-2-3 bottom of the second, BenU squared things up in the bottom of the third. With two outs and runners on first and second, Kailee Cable drove in her 18th run of the season on a single to tie the score.

Wheaton would respond right back, scoring on two hits in the top of the fourth. However, Cable would take momentum back for BenU in the inning, picking off a Wheaton baserunner with runners on first and third with two outs to end what could have been a big inning.

Benedictine would take its first lead of the game in the bottom of the fifth with the use of productive outs. After a Shannon Fritsche walk, Chelsea White single, and a double steal, both Sarah Koch and Cable hit sacrafice flies to give BenU the lead. Guzior protected the advantage, retiring the Thunder in both the sixth and seventh innings to earn her eighth win.

Guzior's final line was seven innings, eight hits, two earned runs, no walks, and five strikeouts. On the basepaths, the Eagles stole six bases, with Fritsche (three), White, Cable, and Kelli Holstine all swiping bags.

Game Two

Wheaton started the game fast, as leadoff hitter Alyssa Leonard hit her first of two triples of the game to start things off. She scored on a fielder's choice two batters later, as the Thunder jumped out to an early lead against BenU starter Eryn Pondo (no decision, four innings pitched, six hits, one earned run, no walks, one strikeout).

Pondo limited the Thunder through the fourth inning, allowing the Eagles to tie the score in the bottom of the inning. After Koch reached on an error to lead the inning off and was saraficed to second by Cable. Singles off the bat of Melissa Stoch and Courtney Grasz loaded the bases with one out, setting up another sacrafice fly for the Eagles. This time, Kelsey Jefferies flied out to center, allowing Koch to come hom and tie the score at one.

After Leonard's second triple to lead off the fourth, Pondo was lifted for Katie McKay, who retired the next three hitters while stranding Leonard at third. She coasted through the sixth and seventh, allowing just one baserunner on a walk.

Still tied at 1-1, Jefferies singled to start the bottom of the seventh off. After a Holstine sacrafice bunt and a pop-out to shortstop, Fritsche stepped to the plate with one out and a runner on second. She reached on an error, allowing Jefferies to score and giving BenU the 2-1 walk-off win.

McKay earned the win in relief, holding Wheaton hitless through three innings with two strikeouts and one walk. At the plate, Cable smacked two doubles.

Up next for the Eagles is a doubleheader at North Park University tomorrow (Wednesday) at 3:00 p.m.