MARION, Ind. -- Indiana Wesleyan University softball split an afternoon doubleheader with visiting Bethel (Ind.) at Wildcat Field in a day where pitching ruled in two one-run games.

The Pilots won the first of the two contests with a 2-1 win while the Wildcats earned the split with a 3-2 victory in the nightcap. IWU is now 20-10 this season with an 8-4 Crossroads League record while the Pilots are now 11-9 and 7-3 in league play.

In the opening game, Bethel scored first with a run in the top of the first inning. Shortstop Emily Sell (SR/Clinton, MI) collected a ground ball and tried to get the lead runner at home but the throw went wide. Pitcher Gabby McIntire (SR/Logansport, IN) escaped the inning when a line drive to Amanda Brunner (SO/Miamisburg, OH) resulted in an unassisted double play.

Indiana Wesleyan tied the score in the third inning when Sara Kreitzer (FR/Ashland, OH) came to the plate with two runners in scoring position and two outs. The Bethel catcher attempted to pick off Melanie Ypya (JR/Collinsville, IL) at third base and the throw went into the outfield to allow Ypya to score as the game was tied 1-1.

Bethel scored the go ahead run in the fifth inning when the leadoff hitter singled, advanced to second on a steal and then took third base on a sac bunt. With one out, a single through the infield scored the run for the 2-1 lead.

Both teams finished with five hits in the game. Sam Hemming (JR/Russiaville, IN), Sell, Marissa French (SR/Crawfordsville, IN), Gabby Bogear (SO/Sacramento, CA), and Ypya accounted for all five IWU hits while Michelle McGeary, Bogear, and Sell each stole a base. McIntire suffered the tough loss as she allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits and no walks. She struck out three batters in 7.0 innings of work.

In game two, Indiana Wesleyan won 3-2 despite being outhit by Bethel 12-5.

Indiana Wesleyan tied the score 1-1 in the second inning on an Allison Bexell (SO/Avon, IN) sac fly that scored Kreitzer. The score remained 1-1 until the sixth inning when Bethel again took a one run lead on an RBI double.

The Wildcats answered in the home half of the sixth inning with a pair of runs. Hemming led the inning off with a single and Sell drew a walk to start the rally. French laid down a sac bunt to move Hemming and Sell into scoring position. Kreitzer singled to shallow center to score the tying run in Hemming and Sell then crossed home plate on a Bethel throw for the 3-2 lead.

Bethel threatened in the seventh inning as they had one out with the bases loaded when Jessica Hull (SR/South Bend, IN) entered to pitch for the second time. Hull induced a fly out to left field that did not score a run and then a line out to shortstop to end the game.

McIntire was credited with the victory as she allowed two runs on 10 hits in 4.2 innings. Hull pitched the other 2.1 innings and did not allow a run in earning the save.

Hemming, Kreitzer, Hull, Bogear, and Brunner accounted for all of the Indiana Wesleyan hits. Kreitzer scored a run and drove one in while Bogear had a stolen base.

Indiana Wesleyan returns to action on Friday with a home tilt against Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio). First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.