JACKSONVILLE, Ill. – Grinnell College's softball team turned the tables quickly Saturday and also saw one of its finest players reach a milestone.
 
After losing the opener of a key Midwest Conference doubleheader at Illinois College by a 5-2 score, the Pioneers thumped the Lady Blues 6-1 to secure the split.
 
Additionally, Lydia Stariha '17 moved into sole possession on the program's career runs list during the second game with 80.
 
In the second game victory, Mikyla Murphy '19 belted two doubles, Maggie Remus '18 had a double and Andi Leff '18 two hits.
 
Melissa Anderson '18 put together another impressive pitching performance, tossing a four-hitter and striking out one without issuing an earned run.
 
Grinnell got on the board first with a run in the second inning on Murphy's RBI double to left. The Lady Blues tied it in the bottom of the inning, but Grinnell took the lead for good with two runs in the third on Murphy's two-run double to left-center.
 
The Pioneers added three insurance runs in the fourth on bases-loaded walks by Kayla Morrissey '18 and Remus and an RBI groundout by Ashley Wehrenberg '19.
 
Sage Juveland '17 had two hits in the opener and Morrissey belted a triple, moving her into second place on Grinnell's career list in that department.
 
The Pioneers got both their runs in the third inning on Morrissey's two-run triple to center. However, the Lady Blues countered with two runs in the bottom of the inning and three more in the fourth.
 
Remus was the pitcher of record for Grinnell, striking out one batter.
 
The Pioneers improved to 4-4 in the MWC and 8-14 overall, while the Lady Blues moved to 7-3 in the league and 13-9 in all games.
 
Grinnell hosts Monmouth College in another big MWC doubleheader Tuesday. Action at the Softball Complex begins at 3 p.m.