DETROIT -- The Wayne State University softball team (27-15 overall, 11-2 GLIAC) moved into first place in the conference standings with a Sunday doubleheader sweep of visiting Malone University (3-20 overall, 0-13 GLIAC).  The Warriors won the opener 2-0 before scoring nine times in the top of the first of the nightcap in claiming a 13-0 victory.

WSU (.846) is percentage points ahead of Grand Valley State (12-3, .800) and a half-game in front of Tiffin (11-3) as most schools are around the halfway mark of the conference slate of 26 games.

Sophomore pitcher Lyndsay Butler (Cambridge, Ont. / Centennial C.V.I.) faced just 23 batters in winning her fifth consecutive decision.  Over her last eight appearances totaling 40.2 innings, she has allowed one run (earned) on 15 hits with 58 strikeouts to six walks.

The Pioneers two base runners were a leadoff walk in the top of the first, and a two-out single by Stephanie Byrne in the fourth after Butler had set down 11 straight.  She retired the final 10 Malone hitters and finished the one-hitter with five strikeouts.

The Warriors snapped the scoreless draw in the bottom of the fourth as junior third baseman Jade McGarr (Guelph, Ont. / St. James Catholic) ripped a two-out single through the right side.  Sophomore left fielder Devin Hentschel (Wyoming, Mich. / Rogers) then worked a nine pitch walk to advance McGarr to second.  Freshman Kylee Barrett (Croswell, Mich. / Croswell-Lexington) hit a 2-1 offering off Pioneer pitcher Shealynn Zimnick (0-1), who was making her varsity collegiate debut, into left field scoring McGarr.  Two innings prior Hentschel had singled on the ninth pitch from Zimnick.

Wayne State added an insurance run in the sixth as senior second baseman Nikki Fulton (Stratford, Ont. / St. Michael Catholic S.S.) was plunked on the first pitch of the frame.  Senior catcher Emily Bryce (Rochester Hills, Mich. / Rochester Adams) moved Fulton to second with a sacrifice bunt before Fulton advanced to third on a wild pitch.  McGarr's single on a 1-0 pitch plated Fulton.

Butler retired the side in order in the seventh which included a nice play from McGarr ranging to her left to get an out on the leadoff hitter.

Zimnick limited the Warriors to five hits and three walks while allowing two earned runs with no strikeouts.

McGarr was the lone WSU hitter with a multiple-hit game, her fourth in a row.

Malone's starting pitcher in the nightcap, senior Jillian Coyle (0-1), did not retire any of the eight batters she faced surrendering eight runs (five earned) on five hits, a hit by pitch and a pair of Pioneer miscues.

Butler started the hit parade with a leadoff triple to right center, then scored on a single down the right field line by freshman right fielder Kristen Lucas (Newmarket, Ont. / Mulock S.S.).  Fulton was hit by a pitch and Bryce reached on a fielder's choice throwing error.  McGarr's safety squeeze bunt produced a run and Warrior hurler Briana Lee (Canton, Mich. / Salem) contributed an RBI single.  Barrett was safe on a sacrifice bunt to load the bases and junior shortstop Gabby Williams (South Lyon, Mich.) knocked Coyle from the contest with a two-run single to left.  After Kari Hall replaced Coyle in the circle, Butler had a two-run double before Lucas and Fulton had back-to-back singles.

Wayne State tallied two runs in the top of the fourth on a two-out, two-run home run by Barrett, her first collegiate round tripper, which came after classmate Hailey Lazarek (Allen Park, Mich.) had worked a one-out walk.  WSU's final two runs came in the fifth as junior Shelby Spano (Sterling Heights, Mich. / Stevenson) laced a double down the left field line off the third baseman's glove.  Lucas reached on a one-out error.  Junior Ali Lince (St. Clair Shores, Mich. / Lakeview) advanced both runners with a ground out, and sophomore Emily Cava (Brampton, Ont. / Cardinal Leger S.S.) delivered a two-run single to right to complete the scoring.

Lee worked out of a bases loaded jam in the first, then retired 10 of the final 11 Pioneer hitters she faced.  Junior Mackenzie Boehler (Saginaw, Mich. / Swan Valley) set down three of the four batters Malone batters in the bottom of the fifth, including two on strikes.

Lee (11-6) struck out nine and walked one, while allowing two hits.  Nine different Warriors accounted for 12 hits with Butler, Lucas and Williams each having two-hit affairs.

Wayne State will take its nine-game winning streak into Wednesday's doubleheader at Ferris State.  The Warriors will conclude the home portion of its 2015 regular-season schedule next weekend with twinbills against Lake Superior State (Saturday at 1 p.m.) and Northwood (Sunday at noon).  All four games will be televised live on Comcast CN 900.