ROSEMONT, Ill. – The Wayne State University softball squad (6-4 overall) concluded play at the 2017 Dome Invitational with a 6-2 setback to Winona State (8-1 overall) on Sunday.

GAME RECAP

Winona State snapped a scoreless tie with an unearned run in the top of the third on a Wayne State miscue, a stolen base and a single to right as Kristen Lucas (Newmarket, Ont.) tried to make a sliding catch.

In the top of the fourth, Winona State's leadoff batter reached on a throwing error, and after a strikeout, the "Minnesota" Warriors had back-to-back singles to load the bases.  Mariah Schultz from Winona State hit a ball that glanced off the glove of first baseman Megan Guitar (Croswell, Mich. / Croswell-Lexington) with second baseman Kylee Barrett (Croswell, Mich. / Croswell-Lexington) unable to make a play as she got tangled up with the runner.  Two runs scored as the ball proceeded into right field with a third run scoring on a botched rundown.

A chopper in front of the plate put runners on the corners, with one run scoring on a ground out by Katie Kolb and the sixth run on a single by Jamee Schleis.

Winona State had a leadoff triple in the fifth by McKenna Larsen, but WSU pitcher Lyndsay Butler (Cambridge, Ont.) retired three consecutive batters following an infield single which put runners on the corners.

In the bottom of the fifth, Emma Adams (Rockwood, Ont.) singled to left on a 0-2 offering for the "Michigan" Warriors first hit of the contest.  Pinch-runner Jamie MacNeil (Brampton, Ont.) advanced to second on a single to center by Hannah McClounie (Essex, Ont.).  After a fielder's choice left runners on the corners, Guitar's RBI ground out plated MacNeil.  Butler followed with an RBI single to right center scoring Ashley Messina (Troy, Mich.).

Wayne State had a chance in the bottom of the sixth to cut into its four-run deficit as Lucas worked a leadoff walk and Brooke Turkalj (St. Jacobs, Ont.) greeted Larsen, who came on in relief, with a single down the left field line.  However, the next three batters were retired.

Messina had a leadoff single in the seventh and pinch-runner Hailey Lazarek (Allen Park, Mich.) went to second on a ground out, but a double play ended the game.

IN THE CIRCLE

Butler falls to 4-3 despite not allowing an earned run (all six runs were unearned).  She allowed seven hits with six strikeouts to one walk.

Jordyn Kleman (5-0) earned the victory after allowing two earned runs on three hits in five-plus innings of work.  She walked three and did not strikeout a batter.   Larsen hurled the final two innings and limited Wayne State to two hits and no runs.

LEADING THE WAYNE STATE WARRIORS

Five different Wayne State hitters had a single, with both Butler and Adams reaching base on a hit and a walk.

LEADING THE WINONA STATE WARRIORS

Schleis had two hits and two RBI.

UP NEXT

Wayne State will travel to Raleigh, N.C., for the Shaw Invitational this coming weekend.  The Warriors will face Lincoln (Pa.) and Chowan on Friday.