DETROIT -- The Wayne State University softball team (19-16-1 overall, 7-6-1 GLIAC) concluded a six-game home stand with a 9-3 setback and a 4-4 tie (due to darkness) with visiting Northwood University (14-13-1 overall, 8-7-1 GLIAC) on Wednesday at the WSU Softball Stadium.

In the opener, the Timberwolves scored once in the second on doubles by Sam Zaborowski and Katherine Johnson. NU added two more in the third on four hits.

Northwood tallied a pair of unearned runs in the fourth to make it 5-0 on an RBI ground out and a two-out RBI single by Andrea Martin.

The Warriors battled back scoring three times in the bottom of the fourth. Alison Allen (Redford, Mich. / Farmington Hills Mercy) led off the frame with a single and after Rebecca Stanley (Waterloo, Ont. / Waterloo C.I.) reached on an error, Rebecca Ryan (Westland, Mich. / Dearborn Divine Child) laid down a sacrifice bunt. Brittany Omelanchuk (Brooklin, Ont. / Wilson S.S.) singled through the left side scoring Allen, then Steph Foreman (Cambridge, Ont. / Preston) worked a nine-pitch walk. Following a shallow fly out to right, Lauren Histed (Shelby Twp., Mich. / Utica) delivered a two-run single through the right side.

The Timberwolves had back-to-back two-out hits in the fifth to increase their lead to 6-3 and Rachel Hammer hit a three-run home run in the seventh to complete the scoring.

WSU freshman pitcher Lauren McLaughlin (Oakville, Ont. / Holy Trinity) struck out four and walked one, but allowed nine runs (seven earned) on 14 hits. Northwood was 9-for-22 with runners on base.

Megan Eddy (10-2) limited Wayne State to three runs (one earned) on six hits with five strikeouts and one walk.

In the nightcap, the Warriors scored in the top of the first as Allen earned a walk, Stanley bunted her to second and she scored on a two-out single by Omelanchuk.

WSU increased its lead to 2-0 in the third on back-to-back one out doubles into shallow right center by Allen and Stanley.

The Timberwolves cut the Warrior lead in half in the bottom of the third as Eddy had a leadoff single and scored on a double by Angela Comer.

Northwood grabbed a 3-2 advantage in the bottom of the fourth on a two-out, two-run triple by Martin.

Wayne State rallied with two runs in the top of the fifth for a 4-3 lead. Allen had a one-out single, and Stanley reached on a throwing error. Pinch-hitter Kristina Susalla (Garden City, Mich.) then laced the first pitch she saw into right center for a two-run double.

With NU down to its final out, Stacey Klonowski doubled off the center field wall and Hammer followed with an RBI single between shortstop and third base scoring Klonowski.

After WSU batted in the top of the eighth, the game was called due to darkness.

WSU starter Sam Cain (Taylor, Mich. / Kennedy) allowed four runs (two earned) on 10 hits with two strikeouts and no walks.

Lindsey Martin started in the circle for Northwood but was relieved by Eddy in the third.  Martin gave up two earned runs on three hits in 2 1/3 innings.  Eddy allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits in 4 2/3 innings.  The NU pitchers combined to strikeout one and walk two.

The Warriors begin a 12-game road trip this Friday with a twinbill at Hillsdale. The journey continues Saturday at Grand Valley and Sunday at Ferris State.