CARY, N.C. -- The day after a historic victory for the Wayne State University softball program (10-4 overall), the Warriors continued to show their prowess in offense, defense and pitching again on Saturday at the Shaw Invitational.  WSU defeated Virginia Union (0-2 overall) 7-1 in the first game, then upended Shepherd (2-4 overall) 7-2 in the nightcap.  The Warriors have won eight of nine since the opening tournament.

GAME ONE RECAP

Wayne State wasted little time against the Panthers scoring an unearned run in the bottom of the first.  Lyndsay Butler (Cambridge, Ont.) had a leadoff single and with one out stole second base, then third.  She later scored on a passed ball.

The next inning, Ashley Messina (Troy, Mich.) had a one-out single, and following a fielder's choice, Butler blasted a two-run home run to right center.

The Panthers tallied their lone run in the fourth on a bases loaded walk.

WSU secured the win with four runs in the bottom of the sixth. Kylee Barrett (Croswell, Mich. / Croswell-Lexington) had a leadoff double and advanced to third on a passed ball.    Barrett made it 4-0 as Emma Adams (Rockwood, Ont.) reached on an error.  Messina had a one-out single, and Megan Guitar (Croswell, Mich. / Croswell-Lexington) followed with an RBI double.  Butler completed the scoring with a two-run double.

IN THE CIRCLE

Guitar (4-0) earned the victory after limiting VUU to one earned run on three hits in 5.1 innings of work.  She struck out three and walked four.  Butler notched her first save of the campaign by retiring all four batters she faced including a game-ending double play.

Shontel Linnette (0-1) allowed seven runs (five earned) on nine hits in her six innings in the circle.  She struck out three and walked two.

LEADING THE WARRIORS

Butler went 3-for-3 with four RBI and seven total bases, while Messina was 3-for-3 with a run scored.

LEADING THE PANTHERS

Janaya Harris had two hits and a run scored.

GAME TWO RECAP

Wayne State scored twice in the bottom of the first and added four more runs in the third to take a 6-0 lead.

Both first inning runs were unearned despite Butler having a leadoff single, and Allie Buchanan (Cambridge, Ont.) being hit by a pitch.  Both runners advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Kristen Lucas (Newmarket, Ont.) with each scoring on separate passed balls.

In the third, Guitar worked an 11 pitch leadoff walk, before Butler homered to right on the next pitch to make it 4-0.  Buchanan walked which prompted a pitching change for Shepherd.  Buchanan stole second before Lucas had a single.  Adams delivered a two-run single plating Lucas and Barrett, who had reached on an error.

The Rams pulled within 6-2 in the top of the fourth with two unearned runs on a pair of hits and a WSU miscue.

The Warriors answered with a single run in the fourth as Messina was hit by the first pitch of the frame.  Shelby Fridline (Almont, Mich.) advanced runner Hailey Lazarek (Allen Park, Mich.) with a sacrifice bunt.  After a walk to Butler and a pop out, Lucas had an RBI single.

IN THE CIRCLE

Butler improved to 6-3 by limiting Shepherd to two unearned runs on five hits in her seven innings of work.  She struck out 11 and did not walk a batter.

Courtney Clemons started for the Rams and allowed two unearned runs in 1.1 innings.  She struck out two and did not walk a batter.  Kaitlin Munda recorded two outs and surrendered two earned runs on a hit and two walks in the five batters she faced.  Tara Hanson worked the final four innings and allowed three runs (one earned) on four hits with one strikeout and one walk.

LEADING THE WARRIORS

Lucas went 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored, while Butler was 2-for-3 with a walk, two runs scored and two RBI.

LEADING THE RAMS

Munda was one of five Shepherd batters with a hit and drove in both runs.

UP NEXT

Wayne State will conclude play at the Shaw Invitational on Sunday, March 5 with a 12:30 p.m. contest against Clarion.