MARION, Ind. -- The first day of the Crossroads League Softball Tournament is in the books and Indiana Wesleyan University is one of six remaining teams playing in the eight team double elimination tournament.

Indiana Wesleyan opened the tournament with a loss to No. 2-seed Bethel (Ind.) by a 5-0 score in the second game of the day. IWU closed the first day of play with a 15-2 thrashing of No. 6-seed Spring Arbor (Mich.) in five innings.

Taylor (Ind.) won the regular season championship and is host of the tournament. But since the teams in the tournament was raised from five to eight due to so many weather cancelations, Indiana Wesleyan was co-host on Tuesday and was the site for four games today. The remainder of the tournament will be held in Upland, Indiana.

Indiana Wesleyan entered the postseason tournament as the No. 7-seed and battled Bethel in the first round game at Wildcat Field. Bethel advanced in the winner’s bracket in a 5-0 victory with all five runs being unearned.

The big blow came in the second inning when a pair of errors and a missed opportunity to get the lead runner on a bunt opened the flood gates. Bethel took advantage of the miscues and scored four runs in the inning for an early 4-0 advantage.

That was more than enough support for Crossroads League Pitcher of the Year Natalie Newell. She did not allow a run on six hits in 7.0 innings. Newell walked three and struck out nine.

Indiana Wesleyan had opportunities to score on the POY as they twice left the bases loaded twice left two on base in another. IWU would leave eight runners on base in all.

Emily Sell (SR/Clinton, MI) reached base all three times she came to bat as she was 2-for-2 with a walk while Hull was 1-for-2 with a walk. Hull suffered the loss with four unearned runs in 5.0 innings. She gave up four hits and did not walk or strike out a Pilot.

The Wildcats scored all four times they came to bat in the elimination game with Spring Arbor en route to a 15-2 victory.

Sara Kreitzer (FR/Ashland, OH) highlights the game for the Wildcats that featured many stars. She was a perfect 4-for-4 with a home run, double, four RBI, and two runs scored. Hull was also 4-for-4 at the plate and she added a double with four RBI and two runs scored. Gabby McIntire (SR/Logansport, IN) and Allison Bexell (SO/Avon, IN) each contributed two hits in the win.

Besides a four hit effort, Hull was the winning pitcher as she tossed all 5.0 innings. She did not allow a run until the fifth inning when IWU held a 15-run lead. She struck out five in the victory.

The Wildcats led 7-0 following three innings of play but more than doubled their output with an 8-run fourth inning to lead 15-0. The Cougars scored twice in the fifth to conclude the shortened game due to mercy rule.

Indiana Wesleyan will play again tomorrow at noon against Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio). The game will be played at Taylor (Ind.).