Bloomington, Ill. - The phrase "it's a game of inches" rang true today in the opening game of the NCAA Division III Regional at Illinois Wesleyan as DePauw dropped a 2-1 decision to Washington University.

The Tigers dropped to 29-17 and return to action on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. CDT against Hanover in an elimination game. The Panthers lost to Illinois Wesleyan, 7-2, in the day's second game. Washington faces the hosts tomorrow at 11 a.m. CDT.

Washington scored both of its runs in the second inning as Janet Taylor led off by being hit by a pitch. Taylor Arends followed with a bunt single before Maggie Clapp advanced each with a sacrifice bunt. Halle Steinberg singled in front of the plate and the throw to home to get Taylor was off the mark and allowed Arends to score.

The Bears had a couple of other chances ended at the plate as Megan Montgomery's throw to Sammi Bell in the top of the fourth nailed Steinberg. Washington had runners on second and third in the fifth, but Arends hit a grounder to Linsey Button at third and she threw to Ashlee Gibson at first for the out. Gibson then threw out Brooke Hofer at the plate.

Lauren Godden led off the bottom of the seventh with a base hit up the middle, but was forced at second on Haleigh Chasteen's bunt. Sarah Beischer ran for Chasteen and moved to third on Sidney Holler's double down the left field line. Beischer scored when Gibson reached on a fielder's choice to short on a ball that almost took a bounce over the shortstop's head. Montgomery flied out and Gabby Smart grounded out to end the game.

Hera Tang had two of the Bears' eight hits, while Godden and Holler each had a pair of DePauw's six hits.

Annie Pitkin improved to 21-5 after striking out seven and not walking anyone in seven innings. Brooke Bandy dropped to 9-6, while Emma Baldwin pitched three innings without allowing a base runner and striking out five.