ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- The Wayne State University softball team (42-19-1) claimed a 3-0 triumph over Grand Valley State University (32-17) in Saturday afternoon's NCAA Midwest Regional #1 elimination game.

The Warriors jumped on Laker pitcher Sara Andrasik (11-7) for a pair of unearned runs in the bottomo of the first.  WSU starting pitcher Lyndsay Butler (Cambridge, Ont. / Centennial C.V.I.) led off with an infield single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by freshman outfielder Kristen Lucas (Newmarket, Ont. / Mulock S.S.).  Senior second baseman Nikki Fulton (Stratford, Ont. / St. Michael Catholic S.S.) reached on a throwing error with Butler moving to third.  A sacrifice fly to left by senior catcher Emily Bryce (Rochester Hills, Mich. / Rochester Adams) plated Butler, while junior third baseman Jade McGarr (Guelph, Ont. / St. James Catholic) doubled to left scoring Fulton.

Butler retired 12 of GVSU's first 14 hitters with only a walk and a WSU miscue allowing runners to reach base.  In the top of the fifth, the first batter was ruled out when Butler's throw hit the runner in fair territory.  Laker Heather Sperlazzo followed with an infield hit.  Mari Deppe's high chopper up the middle was grabbed by Wayne State junior shortstop Gabby Williams (South Lyon, Mich.), who stepped on second and threw to first to complete the double play.

GVSU loaded the bases in the top of the sixth with one out on a single and back-to-back walks.  Butler induced No. 2 hole hitter Kelsey Dominguez into a pop up, and a ground out from Jenna Lenza.

The Lakers notched one hit, their third of the contest in the seventh, but Butler retired the last two batters.

Wayne State's third run came in the bottom of the fourth as Butler reached on a two-out error.  Lucas also reached as her high chopped up the middle was mishandled.  Fulton reached on an infield single as she beat the throw from deep in the hole at short scoring Butler.

Butler struckout six and walked three, while tossing her ninth solo shutout (11th combined).  Andrasik surrendered seven hits and three unearned runs with one strikeout and one walk.

Butler and McGarr each had two hits with Butler scoring twice.

WSU advanced to play Southern Indiana, who fell earlier Saturday morning in the completion of the suspended game from Saturday morning.