MARION, Ind. -- Freshman leftfielder Sam Hemming did all she could on Friday to help keep the Indiana Wesleyan University softball win streak alive.

Hemming smashed four home runs in the doubleheader but Indiana Wesleyan lost 9-8 in the nightcap to Cornerstone (Mich.) University to see the impressive win streak stopped at 17 wins in a row. IWU did earn one last win in the day's first game as Indiana Wesleyan out-slugged Cornerstone 12-11.

Hemming finished the day with a combined line of 4-of-6 with four home runs, two walks, eight RBI, and five runs scored. Hemming began the day with one career home run.

"Sam Hemming went unconscious today," said Indiana Wesleyan head coach Steve Babinski. "She was swinging the bat with a ton of confidence and was looking for pitches she could extend through. She laid off some pitches she normally would go after and only swung at pitches she knew she could hit on a button."

Game one featured a combined 23 runs on 31 hits. The teams also combined for five home runs, two doubles and a triple as pitchers took a beating.

Sam Hemming had a career-best game as she went 2-for-3 with two home runs, four RBI, two runs scored, and a walk. Her home runs in the first and third innings helped Indiana Wesleyan build an 8-5 lead after three innings.

Cornerstone (4-14) earned their second lead of the game in the top of the fourth with a four run inning for a 9-8 score. But Indiana Wesleyan quickly regained the lead in the bottom of the fourth with two runs for a 10-9 advantage. Shortstop Emily Sell drew a bases loaded walk and was followed by third baseman Bryttany Van Vliet who singled to shallow right-center field to account for the runs.

The Wildcats added a pair of insurance runs in the fifth inning. Jessica Hull singled to center to score Erin Moeller and designated player Dana Runyan grounded into a fielder's choice, but a wild throw allowed pinch runner Becca Mottayaw to score for the 12-9 lead. Those two runs would be crucial in the seventh.

With two outs in the top of the seventh, Cornerstone's Megan Oberst crushed a 2-run home run to close the advantage to 12-11 and bring the tying run to the plate. But Abbie Forman closed out the victory with a swinging strike three to send Indiana Wesleyan to its 17th consecutive win.

Forman allowed 11 runs -- eight earned -- on 15 hits and three walks while striking out two.

"Wind was tough today and that made it difficult to pitch," said Babinski. "Abbie Forman threw well and I can't justify all the runs she gave up other than the ball fell sometimes and we didn't make some play at times."

Hull finished 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBI and three runs scored. Bryttany Van Vliet was a perfect 4-of-4 at the plate with one RBI while catcher Katie Smith added a 3-for-4 day with a run and one RBI.

Game two was Hemming's second straight career-game. The freshman was 2-for-3 with a walk, four RBI, and three runs scored. Hemming hit a solo blast in the seventh to bring Indiana Wesleyan within one at 9-8.

Indiana Wesleyan (23-5) gained a 3-1 lead after the first but Cornerstone responded with six in the second to lead 7-3. It was a lead that Indiana Wesleyan could never recover from.

"Weather was bad," added Babinski. "I think the wind changed three different times. It was blowing straight out to center to begin the day, then changed from right to left, and then ended blowing straight in over the last five innings when of course we were down 7-3."

The Wildcats scored two runs in the third to narrow the deficit to 7-5 but gave those two runs back to the Golden Eagles when they scored single runs in the fifth and sixth innings. IWU plated a pair of runs in the sixth inning on a Katie Smith single. She was credited one RBI and the second run scored on the play after a wild throw in the infield to make it a 9-7 game. Hemming's home run would cap the scoring in the seventh as IWU fell just one run shy.

Sam Hemming and Katie Smith accounted for most of the Indiana Wesleyan offense in the game with four of the six hits. Smith was 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.

Jessica Hull took the loss for Indiana Wesleyan as she allowed five runs in one inning of work. Hull pitched into the second but was pulled for Abbie Forman without recording an out. Forman surrendered four runs -- two earned -- over six innings.

Indiana Wesleyan and Cornerstone will do battle again tomorrow morning. The doubleheader is scheduled for 11 a.m. at Wildcat Field.

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