DETROIT – The 10th-ranked Wayne State University softball squad (50-10 overall) had its memorable 2016 campaign come to a close with a 1-0 setback to Grand Valley State University (43-11 overall) in the second game of the best-of-three NCAA Midwest Super Regional.

Both Warrior senior hurler Mackenzie Boehler (Saginaw, Mich. / Swan Valley) and Laker pitcher Ellie Balbach (8-3) were outstanding.

WSU managed just one single and one double off Balbach in her five innings of work as she retired 15 of the 18 batters she faced.  The other Wayne State runner was via an error.

Meanwhile, Boehler (18-4) limited GVSU to five hits, including one extra-base hit which was a leadoff home run in the bottom of the second by Balbach.  Boehler struck out four and did not walk a batter.

Laker Sara Andrasik earned her second save in as many games by retiring six of the seven batters she faced, only allowing a one-out walk in the top of the seventh to Warrior senior designated player Shelby Spano (Sterling Heights, Mich. / Stevenson).

Wayne State had a chance to score in the top of the first as junior centerfielder Allie Buchanan (Cambridge, Ont. / Galt C.I.) reached on an error and senior third baseman Jade McGarr (Guelph, Ont. / St. James Catholic) followed with a lined single through the left side.  Sophomore outfielder Kristen Lucas (Newmarket, Ont. / Mulock S.S.) advanced both runners, but a foul out ended the frame.

Lucas had a one-out double to right in the fourth, but a pop out and a fly out ended that threat.

With the wind regularly blowing in from centerfield a one-out shot to right center by sophomore second baseman Kylee Barrett (Croswell, Mich. / Croswell-Lexington) was tracked down on the warning track by GVSU centerfielder Janae Langs.

Wayne State graduates six seniors including Boehler, who is currently in graduate school after earning her bachelor's degree in three-and-a-half years.  Also graduating from the team that won the second-most games in school history are catcher Ali Lince (St. Clair Shores, Mich. / Lakeview), outfielder Shannon Hilton (Gilford, Ont. / Bradford), first baseman Gabby Williams (South Lyon, Mich.), McGarr and Spano.