BIG RAPIDS, Mich. -- The Wayne State University softball team (29-15 overall, 13-2 GLIAC) extended its winning streak to 11 games with a pair of road wins, 9-2 and 9-1 (5 inn.), Wednesday afternoon at Ferris State University (12-30 overall, 5-9 GLIAC).  WSU ended the day with a 1.5 game lead over second place Ashland (who won twice at Walsh), a 2.0 game lead over third place Grand Valley State (who was swept at home by Saginaw Valley State), and a 2.5 game lead over fourth place Tiffin (who lost twice at Findlay).

The Warriors had great starts to both games scoring six times in the top of the first in the opener, and tallying five runs in the bottom of the first in the nightcap.

Sophomore pitcher Lyndsay Butler (Cambridge, Ont. / Centennial C.V.I.) led off game one with an infield single, moved to second on a ground out and scored on a single by senior second baseman Nikki Fulton (Stratford, Ont. / St. Michael Catholic S.S.).  Senior catcher Emily Bryce (Rochester Hills, Mich. / Rochester Adams) walked on a 3-2 offering before junior third baseman Jade McGarr (Guelph, Ont. / St. James Catholic) reached on an error with Fulton scoring to make it 2-0.  Sophomore left fielder Devin Hentschel (Wyoming, Mich. / Rogers) had an RBI double to right, while freshman Kylee Barrett (Croswell, Mich. / Croswell-Lexington) singled through the left side plating McGarr with WSU's fourth run.  Junior center fielder Shannon Hilton (Gilford, Ont. / Bradford) delivered an RBI single and Barrett came in to score on a passed ball.

After striking out the side in the bottom of the first, Butler had to pull off a Houdini act in the second frame as the Bulldogs loaded the bases on three consecutive singles.  Butler struck out the next two FSU hitters then ended the inning on a comebacker.

Ferris State did get on the scoreboard in the fourth on a two-run single which followed a single and a double.

Wayne State responded with a run in the top of the fifth as Barrett reached on a two-out error and scored on a double by Hilton.  WSU added two more runs in the sixth on a leadoff home run by Butler, a double by Fulton and a Ferris error.

Butler won her sixth consecutive decision to improve to 15-6 overall.  She struck out 14 and did not walk a batter, while limiting the Bulldogs to two runs on seven hits.

The Warrior offensive attack was led by four players who each had two hits in the contest:  Butler, Fulton, Barrett and Hilton.

Freshman right fielder Kristen Lucas (Newmarket, Ont. / Mulock S.S.) had a one-out single to start the first inning hit parade.  After advancing to second on a passed ball, Lucas scored on an RBI double by Fulton.  Bryce's single put runners on the corners before McGarr's infield hit loaded the bases.  Senior pitcher Briana Lee (Canton, Mich. / Salem) then smacked a grand slam home run.

Wayne State's power surge continued in the next frame as Lucas and Fulton hit back-to-back two-out home runs.  After a pitching change, Bryce reached on an error and scored on a double by McGarr.

Ferris State scored once in the top of the third on a single, a stolen base and a single.

In the bottom of the third, Hentschel had a one-out infield single and moved to second on a throw.  A ground out advanced Hentschel to third where she scored on a single by Butler to complete the scoring.

Lee (12-6) won her fifth straight decision by alllowing one run on three hits in four innings in the circle.  She struck out four and walked one.  Junior Mackenzie Boehler (Saginaw, Mich. / Swan Valley) struck out the side in the fifth inning.

Nine different Warriors contributed to the 12-hit attack with Lucas, Fulton and McGarr each having two-hit contests.

Wayne State will play its final four regular-season home games this weekend at the WSU Softball Stadium with all four contests being televised by Comcast CN 900.  The Warriors will play Lake Superior State on Saturday (1 p.m.) and Northwood on Sunday for Senior Day (noon).