DETROIT -- The Wayne State University softball squad (33-15 overall, 17-2 GLIAC) swept visiting Northwood University (13-22 overall, 10-10 GLIAC) by scores of 8-0 and 8-4 on Sunday to extend its winning streak to 15 games.  WSU has won 31 consecutive home games since a loss to Ferris State in the first game of a twinbill on April 19, 2013.

Sophomore pitcher Lyndsay Butler (Cambridge, Ont. / Centennial C.V.I.) tossed a three-hit shutout in the opener.  Two of Northwood's hits were by first baseman Lindsay Obremski.  Butler (17-6) struck out eight and did not walk a batter in five innings.  Offensively, she drove in three runs and scored once.

The Warriors scored once in the first and added two more runs in the second off Timberwolves starter Maddison Sebald (5-12).  Kristen Lucas (Newmarket, Ont. / Mulock S.S.) had a one-out double in the first and scored when Nikki Fulton's (Stratford, Ont. / St. Michael Catholic S.S.) grounder went through the legs of the NU second baseman.

The following inning junior designated player Shelby Spano (Sterling Heights, Mich. / Stevenson) had a leadoff single and scampered all the way to third on a sacrifice bunt by Shannon Hilton (Gilford, Ont. / Bradford) which included a throwing error.  After a walk to sophomore first baseman Allie Buchanan (Cambridge, Ont. / Galt C.I.) loaded the bases, Butler drove in WSU's second run with a ground out.  Following a fielder's choice, Fulton delivered an RBI single scoring Buchanan.

In the bottom of the fourth, WSU added two more runs on a line drive home run to right by Butler off Northwood reliever Vanessa Ewing who had entered the contest with one out and Hilton on third following a leadoff double and a sacrifice bunt by Buchanan.

Wayne State ended the game in the fifth with three runs before an out was recorded.  Senior catcher Emily Bryce (Rochester Hills, Mich. / Rochester Adams) had a double to center and pinch-runner Hailey Lazarek (Allen Park, Mich.) was able to make it to third on a wind-aided double by Jade McGarr (Guelph, Ont. / St. James Catholic).  Freshman left fielder Kylee Barrett (Croswell, Mich. / Croswell-Lexington) had a two-run single to center field and Spano ripped the first pitch she saw for a double down the left field line.  Hilton's single to center plated Barrett with the game-ending run.

Bryce, Spano and Hilton each had two hits as part of WSU's 11-hit attack.

Sebald allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits in 3.1 innings with one strikeout and one walk.  Ewing recorded two outs but surrendered four earned runs on six hits.

In the nightcap, WSU took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second as junior shortstop Gabby Williams (South Lyon, Mich.) had a two-out single and advanced to second on a fielding error.  Williams moved to third after back-to-back four pitch walks, then scored on a single by Lucas.

The Timberwolves tied the game on a two-out double by Lauren Look.

Wayne State regained the lead in the third on a leadoff home run by Fulton, her second round tripper in as many days.

Northwood again knotted the score on a double, a single and fielding error with Warrior starter Briana Lee (Canton, Mich. / Salem) giving way to Mackenzie Boehler (Saginaw, Mich. / Swan Valley), who recorded the final two outs of the inning.

WSU busted the game open with a five-run fourth inning.  Williams singled and Buchanan reached on an error to put two runners in scoring position.  Butler followed with a two-run double, and after a walk to Lucas, Fulton's bunt single loaded the bases.  Bryce nearly hit a 2-1 offering out to right center by settled for a two-run double.  McGarr greeted reliever Kayla Gust with a sacrifice fly.

Boehler (3-2) retired seven out of the first eight batters she faced before Obremski had a two-out single in the fifth, which was followed by a home run from Riley Ostapowicz.  Boehler settled down after the four-bagger and retired the final seven Northwood batters, including four on strikes.

Lucas drove in the game's final run with an RBI groundout in the seventh.

Lee allowed four hits in 2.1 innings and two earned runs with two strikeouts and no walks.  Boehler also allowed two earned runs on two hits in 4.1 innings with seven strikeouts.

Casey Brown (1-3) started in the circle for Northwood and surrendered seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits in 3.0 innings with one strikeout and four walks.  Gust allowed just one unearned run in 4.0 innings on four hits with one strikeout and no walks.

Butler was on base four times going 3-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI and a walk.  Williams also had three hits and a game-best three runs scored, while Lucas, Fulton and McGarr each had two-hit affairs.

Wayne State is scheduled to end the regular season with six consecutive road games starting Wednesday at Saginaw Valley State.