MARION, Ind. -- It was definitely one of the more unique wins for the Indiana Wesleyan University softball team on Friday but IWU won their 11th straight game with a shortened 3-1 victory over University of Saint Francis (Ill.) at Wildcat Field.

The game started at 1 p.m. and was finally called at 9 p.m. due to multiple rain delays. The third delay of the game was due to lightning but the game was far enough along to be official so the game was done after five innings.

"It looks like our weather was team No. 7 today," said Indiana Wesleyan head coach Steve Babinski. "The weather has been absolutely phenomenal so far and but this is our first game we've had canceled on us."

Indiana Wesleyan did all their damage early with a three run second inning.

Designated player Dana Runyan singled and shortstop Emily Sell walked to lead off the second and leftfielder Sam Hemming laid down a sac bunt to advance both runners. Third baseman Emily Van Vliet then ripped a single down the right field line to score two runs for a 2-0 lead.

"The two RBI hit was a breakthrough for her and I think it'll allow her some pressure off her shoulders," said Babinski. "Now she can relax and have fun again and let her ability take over."

The Wildcats were not done in the inning. Van Vliet advanced to third after consecutive wild pitches. Second baseman Spencer Ferrin hit an infield single towards third base that scored Van Vliet for the 3-0 advantage.

Saint Francis (8-9) scored their run in the top of the third inning. Lexi Southall roped a double to score the runner from second base and USF had two runners in scoring position with just one out. But IWU starting pitcher Abbie Forman induced a ground out to short and then a strikeout to strand both runners.

In the top of the fourth with one out and the rain starting to come down extra hard, Abbie Forman beaned Saints' Brittany Bochenek. That was enough for the umpires to call the first rain delay. After nearly an hour the tarp was pulled and play resumed.

But after just two outs were recorded to end the top of the fourth, a second wave of heavy rain drenched Wildcat Field for the second rain delay. The game was delayed for five hours as the teams returned to play at 8 p.m.

The score remained 3-1 after five innings which made it an official game. The game would reach deep into the sixth inning as Indiana Wesleyan actually scored four runs and had the bases loaded. The runner on second would have been the game-winning run due to mercy rule, but lightning was seen by the umpire which brought a halt to the game. After 15 minutes the game was called official.

The victory was the 11th straight for Indiana Wesleyan as the team improves to 17-4 on the season.

"We definitely have to get through some innings a little cleaner," said Babinski of his team's play. "I felt Abbie Forman had to pitch out of some jams that we gave them a fourth or fifth out in innings. That has been a reoccurring theme in our losses and in our wins we are overcoming that. I'll be thrilled when we can put seven innings together and give them just 21 outs."

Van Vliet finished 1-for-2 with two RBIs and a run scored. Since the sixth inning stats were wiped off due to the inning not being completed, Van Vliet lost a second hit and third RBI.

"What I love about her is in the last week she has been putting in extra, extra time," added Babinski of Brittney Van Vliet. "She's always one of the first ones here and last to go. It seems she's not content with where she is at so she has been putting in the time and getting extra reps and making the little adjustments. It's paying off."

Abbie Forman was the winning pitcher for Indiana Wesleyan. She allowed one earned run on three hits in 5.0 innings while striking out five.

"Our pitching allows us to be in every game," continued Babinski. "I was worried going into this game because Saint Francis is a very strong team in a very strong conference. I was really proud of my kids and love the outcome and the intensity to get that outcome."

Three games on two fields were originally scheduled for Friday and Saturday for the six team tournament. Only two games were completed on Friday and three games are scheduled for Saturday as three teams left early due to the weather. The new schedule is Saint Francis vs. Davenport (Mich.) University in a doubleheader at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. Indiana Wesleyan will then play Saint Francis at 1 p.m.