RIVER FOREST, Ill. – Dominican University's softball team started its Florida Spring Break trip on a positive note, defeating Northwestern (MN) and Wheaton on the opening day of competition. 
 
Northwestern (MN)
 
Allyson Dilday (2-0) made her second strong start of the 2022 season against the Eagles, striking out 12 and allowing just two hits in a complete game victory. DU's bats also got involved in support of their ace pitcher, knocking out 14 hits in the game. Dominican scored four late runs to distance itself from Northwestern, winning 5-0. 
 
Kailey Kirkwood went 2-for-3 with an RBI, a walk and one run scored. Theresa Wilsterman also had two hits, knocking in one and scoring once. Zoe Deeringer and Megan Hufnagle joined the two-hit club with each registering an RBI. Makayla Barnes, who played third in the opener, also had a multi-hit outing. 
 
Wheaton
 
DU's matchup with the Thunder was a bit more back-and-forth than the opener as Wheaton held a 2-0 lead after 2.5 innings. However, a two-RBI single from Kirkwood in the third and RBI single from Malia Gilles later in the inning put DU ahead 3-2. 
 
The Thunder answered with two runs in the top of the fifth to go back in front, but Kirkwood delivered again, this time with a three-run shot to put the Stars ahead 6-4. DU tacked on two more insurance runs in the sixth and secured the 8-4 win, moving to 4-0.  Geneva Pollman earned the victory with 5.0 innings pitched and four runs surrendered, three earned. An excellent relief performance from Emma Woodhouse, who finished the game with two scoreless innings, secured the result for DU. 
 
Kirkwood was 2-for-4 with five RBI. Wilsterman had three hits in four at-bats with one RBI. Pollman and Gilles totaled DU's other two RBI. 
 
DU continues competition tomorrow, Sunday, March 6 as it takes on Mitchell and Monmouth at 10 and 12:15 p.m. Eastern Time in Florida. Links to live stats are available via dustars.com.