MELBOURNE, Fla. -- The Wayne State University softball team (11-10 overall) had its five-game winning streak snapped in the first game of Monday's twinbill at Florida Tech (23-9 overall) as the Panthers posted a 4-2 win.  WSU lost its fifth one-run game of the season with a 2-1 setback in the nightcap.

Things looked promising in the top of the first of the opener as sophomore pitcher Lyndsay Butler (Cambridge, Ont. / Centennial C.V.I.) wallopped the third pitch of the game over the right field fence for her third home run in as many days.

FIT (Florida Institute of Technology) took a 2-1 lead on a two-run home run in the bottom of the second by Elizabeth Eby.  The Panthers added to their lead in the third on a single, a stolen base, a ground out and a sacrifice fly.

Junior Mackenzie Boehler (Saginaw, Mich. / Swan Valley) then replaced Butler in the circle for the Warriors.

WSU pulled within a run in the fourth as pinch-runner Hailey Lazarek (Allen Park, Mich.) scored on a fielder's choice.

Two singles and a walk preceded a bunt single in the fifth as FIT tallied the game's final run.

Butler (6-5) allowed three earned runs on four hits in her three innings of work with four strikeouts and one walk.  Boehler surrendered just one run in three innings in the circle.  She recorded five strikeouts and one walk.

Rachel Pence (14-6) pitched a complete game for the Panthers.  She allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits with three strikeouts and no walks.

Junior third baseman Jade McGarr (Guelph, Ont. / St. James Catholic) had two of WSU's five hits in the opener.

Game two was a pitcher's duel until freshman outfielder Kristen Lucas (Newmarket, Ont. / Mulock S.S.) smacked a two-out solo home run on a 3-2 offering to snap the scoreless draw.

Senior Briana Lee (Canton, Mich. / Salem) held the Panthers off the scoreboard until the bottom of the fifth when FIT put runners on the corners following a double by Eby and a single by Brigit Godfrey.  After Godfrey stole second, Elaine Brown doubled in both runners for the final scoring.

None of WSU's final six batters were able to get on base.

Lee (5-3) allowed two earned runs on six hits in six innings with five strikeouts and three walks.  Taylor Smith improved to 7-3 for the Panthers as she limited the Warriors to one earned run on four hits with one strikeout and one walk.

Senior second baseman Nikki Fulton (Stratford, Ont. / St. Michael Catholic S.S.) and Lucas each had two hits to account for all Warrior hits in the contest.

Wayne State returns to the NTC tournament on Tuesday and will face Minot State and No. 25-Augustana.