Softball | 4/14/2017 7:44:00 PM

Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 NORTH CANTON, Ohio -- The 28th-ranked Wayne State University softball team (30-10 overall, 9-5 GLIAC) won twice at Walsh University (9-26 overall, 1-11 GLIAC) on Friday afternoon to reach the 30-win plateau for the 12th consecutive season and for the 25th time in the last 28 years under head coach Gary Bryce.

GAME ONE RECAP

The Warriors grabbed an early 1-0 advantage in the top of the second.  Kristen Lucas (Newmarket, Ont.) led off with a single and went to second on a throwing error.  A sacrifice bunt by Megan Guitar (Croswell, Mich. / Croswell-Lexington) advanced Lucas to third, where she scored on a double to left by Kylee Barrett (Croswell, Mich. / Croswell-Lexington).

Meanwhile, the Cavaliers had one base runner in each of the four innings but were able to score the equalizer.

WSU added to its lead in the top of the sixth as Allie Buchanan (Cambridge, Ont.) had a leadoff single up the middle.  With one out, Buchanan advanced to second on a single by Lucas.  Barrett notched her second RBI of the contest with a two-out single.

Walsh recorded back-to-back singles in the bottom of the seventh, before a fielder's choice got the lead runner.  The next batter grounded to Emma Adams (Rockwood, Ont.) at third, who stepped on the bag and threw to second to complete the game-ending double play.  It was WSU's third double play of the contest.

IN THE CIRCLE

Lyndsay Butler (Cambridge, Ont.) improved to 16-8, while recording her ninth shutout of the season.  She entered the week tied-for-fifth nationally in shutouts.  Butler scattered three hits, while striking out six and walking one.  She faced just 25 Cavalier batters in the contest.

Olivia Pifer (5-14) suffered the setback despite limiting Wayne State to two earned runs on six hits in her seven innings of work.  Pifer struck out two and walked one.

LEADING THE WARRIORS

Lucas and Barrett each had two hits, with Barrett driving in both runs.

LEADING THE CAVALIERS

Jenna Head had two of Walsh's three singles.

GAME TWO RECAP

WSU opened the scoring in the nightcap with a run in the bottom of the first.  Butler had a leadoff single and advanced to second on a ground out.  A single up the middle by Brooke Turkalj (St. Jacobs, Ont.) pushed Butler to third, where she scored on a ground out by Lucas.

Wayne State extended its lead to 2-0 the next inning as Hannah McClounie (Essex, Ont.) had a leadoff single and went to second when Ashley Messina (Troy, Mich.) was hit by a pitch.  A bunt single by Hailey Lazarek (Allen Park, Mich.) loaded the bases.  A double play left runners at second and third with two outs, before a Buchanan single plated Messina.

Guitar then set down 11 of the next 13 Walsh hitters, allowing just two walks.

In the bottom of the sixth, McClounie had a leadoff triple to left center and scored on a sacrifice fly to right by Lazarek.

Guitar retired the first two Cavalier batters, and was one out away from a no-hitter when Kirsten Reed doubled off the fence.  A single by Abbey Yaugher scored Reed to ruin Guitar's shutout bid.  A walk then put the tying run on base, but a ground out ended the contest.

IN THE CIRCLE

Guitar (12-1) allowed the one earned run on two hits in the seventh inning.  She struck out five and walked four.

Ryan Kuula (4-9) started for Walsh and surrendered two earned runs on four hits in one-plus innings of work.  She did not record a strikeout and had one walk.  Shelbi Gregg pitched the final five innings and yielded one earned run on five hits with one strikeout and zero walks.

LEADING THE WARRIORS

McClounie went 3-for-3 while six other Warriors had one hit apiece.

LEADING THE CAVALIERS

Reed and Yaugher each had seventh inning hits.

UP NEXT

Wayne State will conclude its 12-game road trip with a doubleheader at Lake Erie on Saturday with game one starting at 1 p.m.