JACKSONVILLE, Ill. - Despite playing for just the first time in nearly two years against a foe that had more than two dozen games under its belt this season, the Grinnell College softball team put on a solid display of pitching and defense Sunday afternoon. 
 
The Pioneers led Illinois College 2-0 in the opener before the Lady Blues rallied for three runs in the bottom of the final inning for a 3-2 win. Illinois College then completed the sweep, taking the second game 4-0. 
 
Kathryn Vermeulen '24 and Christin Hartman '24 were strong in their collegiate pitching debuts. Vermeulen struck out five and issued just five hits while working 6-2/3 innings of the opener, while Hartman tossed a six-hitter and fanned four in the other contest. 
 
Leila Bishop-Parise '21 led Grinnell's offensive attack in the opener with two of the team's five hits. Grinnell broke a scoreless tie in the fourth inning when Samantha Chu '24 stole third and scored on an error by the catcher. Emma Nelson '23 made it 2-0 in the sixth with an RBI single, plating Mary Webb '23. 
 
A two-run single in the seventh inning tied the game for Illinois College and an error put the hosts over the top. 
 
Grinnell managed five hits in the second game, including doubles by Taylor Durak '24, Chu and Kami Anson '24. The Lady Blues, who improved to 15-11 overall and 5-1 with the sweep, scored one run in the third inning and three more in the fourth. 
 
Grinnell, 0-2 both in the league and overall, is slated to play at Knox College Tuesday. The twin bill begins at 3 p.m.