3/16/25 Fulton, MO - The Westminster softball team put up a fight on the road but fell just short in both games against Illinois College, losing 7-4 in the first game and 6-5 in the second. Despite late-inning rallies, the Blue Jays couldn't complete the comeback in either contest. 

Game 1: Illinois College 7, Westminster 4 

Westminster got on the board in the second when Morgan Rusley scored on an error, but Illinois College kept the Blue Jays in check until late in the game. 

In the fourth, Tatum Bradshaw launched a solo home run, giving Westminster a spark. However, Illinois College extended its lead to 7-2 in the sixth before Westminster made one final push in the seventh. Paige Cruzan doubled in a run, and Raigan McKee followed with an RBI single, but the rally ended with a strikeout, sealing the loss. 

Westminster tallied eight hits, with Kendall Weber (2-for-4, run scored) and Bradshaw (HR, RBI) leading the way. 

Game 2: Illinois College 6, Westminster 5 

The Blue Jays came out strong in Game 2, jumping out to a 5-0 lead before Illinois College responded with a five-run third and a go-ahead run in the fifth. 

Westminster opened the scoring in the second as Taylor Engelmeyer got a double and Rusley scored. The Blue Jays kept rolling in the third after Cruzan tripled and scored, followed by an RBI groundout from McKee. The offense continued in the fourth, starting off with another double from Engelmeyer. A wild pitch allowed Engelmeyer to score, while Rosario and Cruzan made it home to put Westminster ahead 5-0. Cruzan led the offense, going 3-for-4 with a triple and two runs, while Engelmeyer was 2-for-4 with two doubles. Westminster out-hit Illinois College 9-7 but missed opportunities on the bases proved costly. 

The Blue Jays will look to bounce back as they travel to Florida for a series of games over Spring Break, facing top competition in a warm-weather showdown. Westminster will aim to turn its strong offensive performances into victories as they continue their early-season schedule.