NORTH CANTON, Ohio -- The 18th-ranked Wayne State University softball team (23-4 overall, 2-0 GLIAC) began conference play with a road sweep at Walsh University (9-14 overall, 0-2 GLIAC) on Friday afternoon.  WSU won the opener 6-1 and defeated the host Cavaliers 9-1 in six innings in the nightcap.

GAME ONE RECAP

The Warriors fell behind 1-0 in the bottom of the first as Walsh's leadoff batter reached on an error and was advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt.  An infield single moved her to third base where she scored on a groundout.

Wayne State wasted little time in tying the contest as freshman shortstop Hannah McClounie (Essex, Ont. / St. Anne Catholic) smacked a one-out home run to left field in the top of the second.  It was McClounie's first collegiate four-bagger.

After stranding three runners in scoring position through the first four innings, WSU snapped the 1-1 deadlock with a pair of runs in the fifth.  Junior Lyndsay Butler (Cambridge, Ont. / Centennial C.V.I.) had a one-out single and classmate Allie Buchanan (Cambridge, Ont. / Galt C.I.) later scored on a dropped fly ball.  Sophomore Kristen Lucas (Newmarket, Ont. / Mulock S.S.) followed with an RBI single.

The Warriors extended their lead to 6-1 with a three-run sixth.  McClounie began the frame with an infield single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore Kylee Barrett (Croswell, Mich. / Croswell-Lexington).  Senior backstop Ali Lince (St. Clair Shores, Mich. / Lakeview) drilled her second home run of the campaign to left field, and two batters later Butler laced her team-leading fifth round-tripper of the season, which puts her second in the GLIAC.

IN THE CIRCLE

Butler went the distance to improve to 14-2.  She allowed one unearned run on three hits with five strikeouts to zero walks.  Butler's 14 victories are tops in the conference.

Olivia Pifer (5-7) suffered the setback after surrendering six runs (four earned) on 12 hits with two strikeouts to no walks.

LEADING THE WARRIORS

Butler had three hits, while both McClounie and Lince had two hits.

LEADING THE OPPOSITION

Marissa Bondoni, Abbey Yaugher and Abby Reusser each had singles for the Cavaliers.

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GAME TWO RECAP

After leaving the bases loaded in the bottom of the first and having a leadoff double in the second, the Warriors finally broke the scoreless drought in the bottom of the third.  Butler had a leadoff single and advanced all the way to third as Buchanan reached on an error.  Senior Jade McGarr (Guelph, Ont. / St. James Catholic) scored Butler with a groundout.

Wayne State made it 2-0 in the fourth as Barrett reached on a fielder's choice and scored on a double by Shelby Fridline (Almont, Mich. / SC4) along with a Walsh miscue.

WSU tacked on four runs in the fifth as McGarr had a leadoff walk and went to second on a single by Lucas.  Following a groundout, both runners scored on a double by McClounie.  Barrett had a two-out single off reliever Ryan Kuula to score McClounie, while Barrett came across home plate on a single by Fridline.

The Cavaliers tallied their lone run in the top of the sixth on back-to-back one-out triples by Anna Anderson and Alaina Manor.

The Warriors ended the game with three runs in the bottom of the sixth.  McGarr reached on an error and Lucas singled.  A wild pitch advanced both runners into scoring position, and McClounie followed with a two-run single.  Freshman Megan Guitar (Croswell, Mich. / Croswell-Lexington) had a sacrifice fly after McClounie stole third.

IN THE CIRCLE

Senior Mackenzie Boehler (Saginaw, Mich. / Swan Valley) limited Walsh to one run on three hits in six innings with eight strikeouts to zero walks.  Boehler improved her season record to 7-2.

Shelbi Gregg (3-1) suffered her first loss of the season after allowing five runs (three earned) on six hits in 4.1 innings.  She had two strikeouts and walked two.  Kuula pitched the final 1.1 innings allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits.

LEADING THE WARRIORS

Butler, Lucas, McClounie and Fridline each had two hits with McClounie driving in four.

LEADING THE OPPOSITION

Manor, Anderson and Nikki Newman each had one hit for the Cavaliers.

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UP NEXT

Wayne State will continue its season opening road trip with a GLIAC twinbill at Malone University on Saturday.  WSU will have played 29 road and neutral games before Tuesday's scheduled home opener against Grand Valley State.