DETROIT -- The Wayne State University softball team (8-12 overall, 0-2 GLIAC) began conference play, and a 10-game homestand, with a pair one-run setbacks to visiting Hillsdale College (8-7 overall, 2-0 GLIAC) Friday afternoon at the WSU Softball Stadium.  HC won the opener 2-1, and the nightcap, 6-5 in eight innings.

In the opener, HC scored twice in the top of the first on two hits, a hit by pitch and a WSU error to grab an early 2-0 advantage.  WSU senior hurler Sam Cain (Taylor, Mich. / Kennedy) then blanked the Chargers for the final six innings on just three hits.

The Warriors pulled within a run in the bottom of the second as senior first baseman Rebecca Ryan (Westland, Mich. / Dearborn Divine Child) had a leadoff single on an 0-2 offering.  She advanced to second when she was hit by a pickoff attempt from the Hillsdale catcher.  Ryan was safe at third on a fielder's choice because of a bad throw, then scored on a single through the left side by freshman center fielder Shannon Hilton (Gilford, Ont. / Bradford).  A single by freshman catcher Emily Bryce (Rochester Hills, Mich. / Rochester Adams) loaded the bases but HC turned a fly ball out into an inning-ending double play on a strong throw home by right fielder Jessica Day.

Wayne State had runners at second and third with one out in the third but back-to-back ground outs ended the frame.  In the sixth, Ryan had a leadoff single and was at third base with one out but could not be plated.

WSU finished the contest 3-for-15 with runners on base.

Cain (5-7) struck out two and walked four while allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits in her seven innings of work.

Hillsdale's Katie Ardrey (4-2) limited Wayne State to one run in seven innings with two strikeouts and one walk.

Ryan was the lone Warrior with a multiple-hit game.

For game two of a league twinbill, the host team bats first.  WSU took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second as Hilton had a one-out single, went to second on a ground out and scored on an RBI double by sophomore catcher Amanda Burnard (Canton, Mich. / Plymouth).

Hillsdale tallied four runs in the bottom of the inning on four hits (two of which were doubles), one Warrior miscue, and a pair of stolen bases by Ardrey including one of home with two outs.

The Chargers added an unearned run in the third for a 5-1 lead.

Wayne State scored once in the fifth as sophomore second baseman Nikki Fulton (Stratford, Ont. / St. Michael Catholic S.S.) had a leadoff single and scored on a one-out single by senior Alison Allen (Redford, Mich. / Farmington Hills Mercy).

The Warriors tied the contest with a three-run sixth inning.  Senior shortstop Lauren Histed (Shelby Twp., Mich. / Utica) had a one-out bunt single, and advanced to third on a single by freshman designated player Shelby Spano (Sterling Heights, Mich. / Stevenson).  After a pop out, sophomore Logan White (Brantford, Ont. / Johnson C.V.I.) laced an RBI single down the left field line.  Allen was walked to load the bases, and Ryan followed with a two-run single up the middle.

In the bottom of the eighth, HC's Miriam McKay blooped a one-out single down the right field line, and with two outs scored all the way from first on an errant throw.

Hillsdale's Laura Homan (4-3) allowed five earned runs on 14 hits with three walks and one strikeout.

Briana Lee (Canton, Mich. / Salem) started for Wayne State and surrendered four runs (two earned) on four hits in two innings.  Emily Wickerham (North Branch, Mich.) took the loss despite allowing just two unearned runs in 5.2 innings on five hits.  She had one strikeout and one walk.

The Warriors continue their homestand with a home GLIAC doubleheader on Saturday against 18th-ranked Grand Valley starting at 1 p.m.

It was Hillsdale's third doubleheader sweep of WSU since 1982 and first-ever in Detroit.  Wayne State still leads the all-time series 63-26.