Kissimmee, Fla. -- The fifth-ranked Wayne State University softball squad (22-5 overall) concluded its spring break trip with a
4-3 setback No. 22-Augustana College (16-3 overall).
The Vikings scored twice in the bottom of the first on a walk, a sacrifice bunt, a double, a ground out and a fielding error by WSU.
AC led 3-0 in the second following a solo home run by Chelsi Winskowski.
The Warriors rallied to tie the game at three with a three-run fourth inning.
Jaci Banton (Richmond Hill, Ont. / Cardinal Carter) had a leadoff single and was safe at second as she beat the throw on a one-out fielder's choice.
Stephanie LeClair (Kitchener, Ont. / Forest Heights C.I.) singled to left to load the bases. Pinch-hitter
Kristina Susalla (Garden City, Mich.) earned an RBI with a bases loaded walk, while
Steph Foreman (Cambridge, Ont. / Preston) notched an RBI as she was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. LeClair then scored on a passed ball to knot the score.
The Vikings scored the winning run in the fifth on a one-out infield single, a two-out walk and an RBI double to left center by Taylor Kapsch.
Casey Hanes (Richmond, Va. / Douglas Freeman) entered the contest and retired the final four AC batters.
WSU had just one base runner in the final two innings --
Kassie Snyder (Marine City, Mich.), who reaced on a fielding error with one out in the seventh but was erased on a fielder's choice.
Sam Cain (Taylor, Mich. / Kennedy) started in the circle for Wayne State and allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits in 4 2/3 innings with three strikeouts and two walks.
Britt Stewart (7-1) went the distance for the Vikings striking out four and walking two and allowing three earned runs on three hits.
Wayne State begins conference play with a twinbill at Ashland on Wednesday, March 31
.
