EVANSVILLE, IN - Kentucky Wesleyan struggled in the opening games of the Independence Bank Blue Bridge Battle, falling 9-1 to Illinois-Springfield before dropping the nightcap 3-0 to Notre Dame (Oh.). 

Game One

Wesleyan hit the ball well in their opener, out hitting Illinois-Springfield 8-5, but 10 runners left on base cost them. The Prairie Stars used four runs in both the second and third innings to pull away from the Panthers. KWC earned their lone run of the game on a Sarah Linville score, thanks to a dropped third strike from the catcher during a Megan Matheis at bat. 

Shelbi Patterson and Guinny Garr each recorded two hits in the game. Immi Mann (0-5) struck out five in the loss. 

Game Two

Once again, the Panthers put up the hits, but couldn't plate the runs. Four hits wasn't enough for Wesleyan, as Notre Dame played one run in each of the final three innings to take the game by a 3-0 score. Augusta Garr and Megan Matheis each went 2-for-3 in the loss. Allie Dunn (2-5) put up on of her best pitching performances in the loss, striking out eight. 

Wesleyan will be right back at it tomorrow when they take on Quincy at 2 p.m. CT and Missouri S&T at 4 p.m. CT. 

Stay up to date on all your Panther news by following @KWCpanthers on Twitter and Instagram and by liking the "Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics" Facebook page.