NAPERVILLE — As conference play approaches, College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin (CCIW) softball programs continue to build toward the start of league competition through non-conference play across multiple regions. 
 
Wheaton enters the weekend with an 11-5 record and an eight-game winning streak, while several conference student-athletes remain among the national leaders in NCAA Division III statistical categories. Recent results from Florida to California added to an active stretch across the league and provided additional context as teams near the start of conference competition.
 
Thunder Rolls Through a Perfect Week
Wheaton extended its winning streak to eight games and improved to 11-5 overall with a series of victories over the past week. The Thunder swept Wisconsin Lutheran on Wednesday, winning 5-4 in eight innings before taking a 9-8 walk-off decision in the second game. Cate Welch hit two home runs and drove in four runs in the nightcap. 
 
Earlier in the week, Wheaton posted a 25-0 win over Maranatha Baptist, marking the program’s largest margin of victory since 2010. The Thunder also swept Blackburn last Saturday, including a 12-10 win in game two that ended on Abby Whitehead’s two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh.
 
Firebirds Burning Up the National Stat Sheets
Carthage continues to rank among the conference leaders in several offensive categories, with Clare Rettler and Gwen Hendrick posting notable individual numbers. Rettler leads the CCIW in hits and stolen bases while ranking second nationally in batting average at .620. Hendrick leads the conference with 25 runs batted in and ranks fourth nationally in RBIs per game. 
 
As a team, the Firebirds rank 29th nationally in stolen bases per game. Carthage dropped both games of a doubleheader against Lake Forest last Saturday, 7-5 and 19-10, but Rettler went 7-for-7 across the two contests with three triples.
 
Bluejays Rally for California Gold
Elmhurst continued its California trip with a doubleheader sweep of Occidental on Thursday. The Bluejays won the opener 5-3 before taking a 4-3 extra-inning decision in game two. Danielle Hood delivered the go-ahead hit in the eighth inning of the second game with a two-out double. 
 
Earlier in the trip, Elmhurst dropped doubleheaders against Redlands, Chapman and Whittier. Tia Splitgerber’s three-run home run against Whittier provided one of the team’s offensive highlights during the week.
 
Titans Sweep Their Way Into Home Tourney
Illinois Wesleyan moved to 7-7 overall after sweeping Monmouth in a home doubleheader on Wednesday. The Titans won the opener, 2-1, as Caroline Gatchell carried a no-hit bid into the sixth inning and earned her first victory of the season. Casey Wissmiller supplied the offense with a two-run home run in the first inning. 
 
In game two, Illinois Wesleyan recorded a season-high 11 hits in an 8-1 win. Hannah Burns earned the victory in her first collegiate start after allowing one run over five innings. The Titans also lead the conference in fielding percentage at .978, with eight errors through 14 games.
 
Augustana Hits High Notes in Florida
Augustana continued its spring trip in Florida with several strong individual performances. Madi Bickell ranks first nationally in home runs per game and is tied for the conference lead with four home runs. The Vikings posted a 10-0 five-inning win over Union on Monday, with Bickell hitting a three-run home run. 
 
Augustana later dropped games against Middlebury and Colby on Thursday, as well as a 4-3 decision to Carleton earlier in the week. Alaina Diaz homered against Carleton, while Alexis Duke and Aubrey Gradin contributed in Thursday’s games.
 
Big Blue and Vikings Navigate the Road
Millikin and North Park each continued non-conference play over the past week. Alyssa Dralle leads the CCIW with five wins and 60.0 innings pitched for Millikin. The Big Blue split a doubleheader with Wartburg last Saturday, winning the first game 5-3 before falling 6-4 in the second, then dropped two games to Central on Sunday. 
 
North Park leads the conference in triples and ranks 31st nationally in that category. Kayla Lorenz ranks 10th nationally with four triples. The Vikings were swept by Concordia Chicago on Thursday, though Eden Baker hit an inside-the-park home run in game two.
 
Gauging the Standings and the Gameday Horizon
Wheaton currently holds the top winning percentage in the conference at .688, followed by Carroll at .556 and Millikin at .533. Conference play has not yet begun, with league competition scheduled to open next week for several programs. 
 
On the upcoming schedule, Augustana is set to face North Central (Minn.) on Friday at 10 a.m., Elmhurst will play at California Lutheran on Friday at 2 p.m., and Illinois Wesleyan is scheduled to host Calvin on Friday at 3 p.m. 
 
Millikin will meet Hope on Saturday at 10 a.m., Carroll will play at Beloit on Saturday at noon, and Carthage will host Wisconsin-Whitewater on Saturday at 1 p.m. 
 
Wheaton is scheduled to play at Aurora next Wednesday at 4 p.m., North Park will travel to Kalamazoo next Sunday at noon, and North Central will host Illinois Wesleyan next Wednesday at 3 p.m.