Final Stats from Findlay Game

Findlay, Ohio - The Wayne State University softball team (27-20 overall) defeated Findlay (27-15 overall) 5-4 in 10 innings in game two on Saturday to advance to the loser's bracket final against Ashland.  That contest wil be played at 4 p.m. on Saturday with the winner advancing to Sunday's championship round versus Grand Valley.

The Oilers took a 2-0 lead in the top of the second after the first two batters were retired on a single, a walk and a two-run double by Morgan Arnold.

The Warriors pulled within a run in the fourth as freshman third baseman Jade McGarr (Guelph, Ont. / St. James Catholic) had a one-out single and moved to second on a wild pitch.  Following a walk and an infield fly out, freshman shortstop Gabby Williams (South Lyon, Mich.) singled up the middle plating McGarr.

WSU grabbed a 4-2 advantage with three runs in the fifth.  Freshman left fielder Catherine Rayos (Warren, Mich. / Mott/Macomb Mathematics Science Technology Center) reached on a third strike wild pitch.  Junior second baseman Nikki Fulton (Stratford, Ont. / St. Michael Catholic S.S.) followed with a bunt single and junior center fielder Logan White (Brantford, Ont. / Johnson C.V.I.) advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt.  Rayos then scored on a wild pitch prior to senior right fielder Stephanie Foreman (Cambridge, Ont. / Preston) drilling a two-run opposite field shot to right field.

The score remained 4-2 until the top of the seventh.  Jenna Motuza drew a leadoff walk and scored on a double by Tori Allen which went down the left field line and ricocheted off the bullpen fence past Rayos.  At that point, WSU went to the bullpen calling on Briana Lee (Canton, Mich. / Salem) to replace starter Mackenzie Boehler (Saginaw, Mich. / Swan Valley).  Lee struck out UF's No. 3 hitter Brittany Dauterman and induced Carli Borders into a fly ball to left field.  A swirling wind resulted in the fielder being unable to catch the ball for the second out allowing Allen to score the tying run.

The Warriors threatened in the bottom of the eighth as sophomore catcher Emily Bryce (Rochester Hills, Mich. / Rochester Adams) reached on a throwing error.  Pinch-runner Ashley Dunford (Chesterfield, Mich. / L'Anse Creuse North) went to second on a sacrifice bunt by McGarr.  Lee followed with a single through the right side with Dunford being stopped at third.  Junior first baseman Amanda Burnard (Canton, Mich. / Plymouth) was intentionally walked to load the bases.  A force out at home and a ground out ended the frame.

In the top of the ninth, Findlay had a leadoff single from Motuza and she advanced to second on a one-out single by Dauterman.  Borders hot shot down the first base line was knocked down by Burnard keeping Motuza at third.  An infield fly and a fielder's choice with Williams making a diving stop on a grounder up the middle and flipping to Fulton at second for the inning ending force out.

Wayne State put pressure on the Oilers in the bottom of the ninth as Fulton and White each had infield base hits.  A strikeout was followed by a successful double steal, but another strikeout and a ground out ended the threat.

The international tie-breaker rule went into effect for the 10th inning.  A sacrifice bunt moved Tawna Whited to third but a strikeout and a pop out ended the visitors half of the frame.

In the bottom of the 10th, McGarr was placed on second and Lee bunted the first pitch of the inning and Arnold's throw to first bounced past the second baseman allowing McGarr to score standing up.

Boehler earned a no decision allowing four runs (three earned) on eight hits in six innings with six strikeouts and three walks.  Lee (10-14) notched the win in relief pitching four scoreless innings allowing just four hits with three strikeouts and no walks.

Dauterman pitched the first four innings for Findlay limiting the Warriors to one run on five hits with one walk and one strikeout.  Whited (14-5) suffered the loss after surrendering four runs (three earned) on six hits in five innings.  She struck out four and walked one.

Fulton went 3-for-5 with a run scored, while McGarr contributed two hits and two runs.  Eight different Warriors had hits in the game.

The teams combined to leave over 20 runners on base in the contest.