DETROIT -- The 11th-ranked Wayne State University softball team (41-6 overall, 20-2 GLIAC) became the seventh squad in school history to post a 40-win season by rallying from an 8-0 deficit to win game one 12-8 over the visiting Ashland University Eagles (23-21-1 overall, 13-10-1 GLIAC), then posted a 9-1 triumph in six innings in the nightcap on Senior Day.

GAME ONE RECAP

AU tallied seven runs on six hits, a Warrior miscue and a walk in the top of the seventh.  Both Shelbie Prince and Marissa Caraballo had two-run singles in the frame.

The Eagles scored once in the fourth to increase their advantage to 8-0 on an RBI single by Alexis Van Horn.

WSU had to score at least once in the bottom of the fifth for the game to continue.  The Warriors did much more than that totaling 11 runs on 10 hits along with two walks and a hit by pitch.  Senior catcher Ali Lince (St. Clair Shores, Mich. / Lakeview) began the onslaught with a single down the right field line.  Senior outfielder Shannon Hilton (Gilford, Ont. / Bradford) blooped a single over the first baseman's head advancing pinch-runner Jamie MacNeil (Brampton, Ont. / St. Thomas Aquinas S.S.) to second.  Junior pitcher Lyndsay Butler (Cambridge, Ont. / Centennial C.V.I.) ripped a 2-0 offering up the middle scoring MacNeil.  After a fielder's choice, Ashland starter Hannah Stroe was replaced in the circle by Brittany Flanigan.  Senior third baseman Jade McGarr (Guelph, Ont. / St. James Catholic) greeted Flaningan with an RBI single to left center, before sophomore outfielder Kristen Lucas (Newmarket, Ont. / Mulock S.S.) followed with an RBI infield single.  Senior designated player Shelby Spano (Sterling Heights, Mich. / Stevenson) then walked on four pitches to load the bases.  With two outs, sophomore second baseman Kylee Barrett (Croswell, Mich. / Croswell-Lexington) drew a four-pitch walk forcing in McGarr and starting a stretch of six consecutive Warriors reaching base.  Lince was plunked with a 1-1 pitch from new AU hurler Sarah Alley (13-8) plating Lucas to make it 8-5.  Pinch-hitter Emily Cava (Brampton, Ont. / Cardinal Leger S.S.) hit a 1-2 offering just over the third baseman's glove to pull WSU within two (8-6).  Butler laced the the first pitch she saw through the left side before junior outfielder Allie Buchanan (Cambridge, Ont. / Galt C.I.) smacked a 1-1 pitch into left center for a three-run double turning an 8-7 deficit into a 10-8 lead.  After a wild pitch, McGarr's single scored Buchanan with WSU's 11th run of the inning.

After Wayne State reliever Haley Hurd (Atwater, Ohio / Waterloo), hit the first AU hitter in the top of the sixth on a 3-2 pitch, Butler re-entered the circle.  She retired six of the nine batters she faced allowing just one hit and a walk, with the other runner reaching on an error.

Barrett added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run to center field.  It was her third home run in the last three game dates.

IN THE CIRCLE

Butler earned her third save of the campaign despite allowing seven runs (three earned) on 10 hits.  She struck out four and walked four.  Hurd improved to 3-0 by limiting Ashland to one earned run on three hits in 2.2 innings with three strikeouts and two walks.

Stroe allowed three earned runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings with one strikeout and one walk.  Flanigan surrendered four earned runs, while facing five batters.  She allowed two hits, walked two and struck out one.  Alley pitched the final 1.1 innings for AU allowing five earned runs on five hits with two strikeouts.

LEADING THE WARRIORS

Butler went 3-for-4 with two RBI, while McGarr, Lucas and Barrett each had two hits.  Buchanan had a game-high three RBI with McGarr and Barrett each recording two RBI.  It was Buchanan's third game-winning RBI of the campaign.

LEADING THE OPPOSITION

Jen Moore and Kalene Freshour each went 3-for-4 with Freshour scoring twice.

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GAME TWO RECAP

Wayne State broke open a scoreless tie with a three-run second inning.  Lucas and Cava each singled to start the frame before Lince advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt.  Barrett drove in Lucas with a single through the right side, while freshman shortstop Hannah McClounie (Essex, Ont. / St. Anne Catholic) drilled a 2-0 pitch off the center field wall plating Cava.  Following a fielder's choice, Butler's two-out single through the left side scored Barrett.

In McClounie's next at bat, she hammered a 2-0 offering deep over the left field fence for a 4-0 advantage.  Senior first baseman Gabby Williams (South Lyon, Mich.) followed with a double to left center and advanced to third on a bunt single by Butler.  Williams scored on a one-out wild pitch, while Lucas had a two-out single up the middle to score Butler making it 6-0.

The Eagles scored an unearned run in the bottom of the fourth on a pair of hits following a WSU miscue.

The Warriors tallied three runs in the top of the sixth, then held AU scoreless in the bottom of the inning to end the contest.  Williams began the three-run rally with a leadoff single to center field.  Butler had an RBI double to center field and scored on an infield hit by Buchanan.  Lucas earned a walk around a pair of outs moving Buchanan to second where she would score on a single by Lince.

IN THE CIRCLE

Senior Mackenzie Boehler (Saginaw, Mich. / Swan Valley) celebrated Senior Day by winning her 14th contest of the season in 17 decisions.  She allowed one unearned run on six hits in six innings with seven strikeouts to zero walks.

Flanigan (5-6) started for Ashland and was tagged for three earned runs on six hits in 2.1 innings.  She did not record a strikeout or a walk.  Abbie Sgro pitched the final 3.2 innings allowing six earned runs on nine hits with four strikeouts to one walk.

LEADING THE WARRIORS

Butler went 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored, while Lucas, Cava, McClounie and Williams all contributed two hits as part of WSU's 15-hit attack.  All nine starters had at least one hit.

LEADING THE OPPOSITION

Six different Eagles each had a single.

UP NEXT

Wayne State will conclude the regular season with a home doubleheader on Sunday, April 24th against Ohio Dominican.  First pitch is slated for noon.