FINDLAY, Ohio -- The 11th-ranked Wayne State University softball team (46-7 overall) claimed its fifth consecutive GLIAC Tournament title with a 5-1 victory Sunday morning over Ashland University (29-23-1).

The Warriors are 24-3 in their last 27 GLIAC Tournament games dating back to the second round of the 2011 GLIAC Tournament.  Wayne State has won 18 its last 19 GLIAC Tournament contests.

WSU won eight league tournament titles in an 11-year period (1985, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1994, and 1995), then captured titles nine, 10, 11, 12 and 13, the last five years (2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016).

The Warriors have won at least 30 games in 29 of Bryce's 35 seasons at the helm.  In fact, WSU has won at least 35 games 18 times (this year included).  Finally, under Bryce, Wayne State has won at least 40 games seven times including this year.  The 46 wins are tied for second-most in program history.

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME RECAP

WSU starting pitcher junior Lyndsay Butler (Cambridge, Ont. / Centennial C.V.I.) retired eight of the first nine Eagle batters with just a two-out walk in the first inning.

Meanwhile, the Warrior offense scored twice in the bottom of the second as senior designated player Shelby Spano (Sterling Heights, Mich. / Stevenson) led off the frame with a double to the left field warning track.  After freshman shortstop Hannah McClounie (Essex, Ont. / St. Anne Catholic) worked a walk on a 3-2 pitch, sophomore second baseman Kylee Barrett (Croswell, Mich. / Croswell-Lexington), who had made a spectacular scoop while covering first base to end the top of the inning, was called out as her bunted ball hit her.  Senior catcher Ali Lince (St. Clair Shores, Mich. / Lakeview) hit a ball threw the AU shortstops legs allowing first baseman Gabby Williams (South Lyon, Mich.), who was running for Spano, to score.  Lince was eventually tagged out in a rundown but McClounie was able to scamper home to make it 2-0.

Eagle leadoff batter Ally Farrah tripled with two outs in the third and scored on a relay throw up the line.

Wayne State had a chance to add to its lead in the third as both Butler and junior center fielder Allie Buchanan (Cambridge, Ont. / Galt C.I.) singled, but the next three batters were retired.

Ashland shortstop Alexis Van Horn had a one-out double in the fourth, but Butler struck out the next two hitters, which started a streak of the final 11 AU batters being retired, the final nine on ground outs.

WSU was able to get some breathing room in the sixth as senior third baseman Jade McGarr (Guelph, Ont. / St. James Catholic) had a leadoff double to right center.  Sophomore outfielder Kristen Lucas (Newmarket, Ont. / Mulock S.S.) then laced a 1-1 offering over the Eagle left fielder scoring McGarr to make it 3-1.  After fouling off the first two pitches, then taking the next two out of the strike zone, Spano blasted her second home run of the campaign over the right-center field fence.

IN THE CIRCLE

Butler improved to 27-4 by limiting Ashland to one earned run on three hits with six strikeouts and one walk.

Hannah Stroe (7-8) took the loss after surrendering five runs (three earned) on seven hits in five innings of work.  She struck out two and walked one.  Sarah Alley retired three of the four batters she faced.

LEADING THE WARRIORS

Barrett and Spano each went 2-for-3 as the top seven hitters in the WSU lineup reached base at least once via a hit or walk.

UP NEXT

Wayne State will be making its 21st NCAA Tournament appearance this Thursday.

The NCAA will have its selection show on Monday (May 2) at 10 a.m. Eastern.

The 21 national tournament appearances rank sixth in the history of NCAA Division II softball behind Bloomsburg (32), California, Pa. (24), Omaha (24 - who is no longer in D-II), Augustana, S.D. (23), Humboldt State (22) and WSU (21).