MARION, Ind. -- Indiana Wesleyan University softball is hosting the IWU Tournament on Friday and Saturday at Wildcat Field. IWU opened the tournament with a two-game split on Friday.

The Wildcats defeated Walsh (Ohio) University 7-2 in the opener but lost 6-4 to Judson (Ill.) University in the nightcap.

In the victory over Walsh (5-8), Indiana Wesleyan overcame a 2-1 deficit with a huge six run fifth inning. Sophomore centerfielder Tamara Davis capped the fifth inning with a grand slam to centerfield to give the Wildcats the 7-2 lead.

Sophomore leftfielder Kelsey Decker and senior catcher Molly Yothment each finished 2-for-3 with a run scored. Decker also drove home one run. Sophomore first baseman Abbie Forman connected on a solo home run in the second inning and was 1-for-2 at the dish with a walk and two RBI.

Wildcat junior Nicole Clark earned the win with five innings of work. She allowed two runs on four hits with one strikeout. Junior Katie Hall closed out the game with a perfect two innings of relief with three strikeouts.

In the loss to Judson, Indiana Wesleyan scored a pair of runs in the seventh inning to close a four run gap to 6-4. Forman came to the plate as the tying run with one on and two outs, but struck out to close the game.

Judson (8-6) led most the game after taking a 3-1 lead n the third inning. IWU close the deficit to 3-2 with a run in the fifth but Judson scored two in the sixth and one in the seventh to stretch the lead.

Wildcat senior catcher Christy Gibson and senior shortstop Katie Berkemeier were stellar for IWU at the top of the order. The first and second batter in the lineup respectively finished a combine 6-for-7 at the plate. Gibson smashed a home run, doubled, scored twice and had one RBI while Berkemeier doubled, scored one run and knocked home another.

Yothment also crushed a home run and was 2-for-3 at the dish while Decker was 1-for-3 with a RBI.

Indiana Wesleyan (10-8) will complete the tournament on Saturday with a game against Davenport (Mich.) University at noon and a 2 p.m. first pitch start time versus Olivet Nazarene (Ill.) University.

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Box Score vs. Walsh | Box Score vs. Judson