DETROIT -- In its final non-conference games of the regular season, the Wayne State University softball team (15-6 overall) swept visiting Walsh University (11-9 overall) on Wednesday by scores of 3-0 and 11-1 in the home opener at Gary L. Bryce Field.

GAME ONE RECAP

The Warriors scored once in the bottom of the first on four hits by senior outfielder Kristen Lucas (Newmarket, Ont.), sophomore catcher Brooke Turkalj (St. Jacobs, Ont.), freshman outfielder Bryanna Kressler (Kitchener, Ont.) and junior shortstop Hannah McClounie (Essex, Ont.)

WSU added to its advantage in the fourth on a two-run single by junior Ashley Messina (Troy, Mich.) following back-to-back doubles by Kressler and McClounie.

IN THE CIRCLE

Junior Megan Guitar (Croswell, Mich. / Croswell-Lexington) improved to 10-3 by blanking the Cavaliers on one hit.  She struck out five and walked two, while facing just 25 batters.

Shelbi Gregg (2-4) allowed three earned runs on eight hits in 3.1 innings, while Ryan Kuula pitched the final 2.2 innings allowing one hit.

LEADING THE WARRIORS

Kressler and McClounie each had two hits.

LEADING THE CAVALIERS

Hailey Warren had a solid one-hit single in the fourth just over McClounie's glove.

GAME TWO RECAP

Wayne State pounded out 12 hits in four innings and scored 11 runs.

For the second game in a row, Lucas led off the bottom of the first with a single and scored, along with freshman infielder Rainey Psenicka (Guelph, Ont.) on a two-run double by Kressler.  A sacrifice fly by McClounie would plate Kressler to make it 3-0 in the first inning.

Three consecutive one-out hits after a walk in the second knocked WU starter Olivia Pifer (7-4) from the game.  Following a walk to senior Kylee Barrett (Croswell, Mich. / Croswell-Lexington), senior Hailey Lazarek (Allen Park, Mich.) and Lucas singled to load the bases.  Barrett scored on a wild pitch then Psenicka had an RBI single to make it 5-0.  

Guitar had an RBI double in the third and Lazarek contributed an RBI single.  Lucas made it 9-0 with a two-run double prompting another pitching change by the Cavaliers.  Turkalj's single to left increase the lead to 10-0.

In the bottom of the fourth, three walks loaded the bases before Lucas laced an RBI single to left scoring pinch-hitter Rachelle Clayton (Guelph, Ont.)

Walsh scored once in the top of the fifth on a double by Annie Dehnke following a walk, and a sacrifice fly by pinch-hitter Kirsten Reed.

IN THE CIRCLE

Kressler (3-2) allowed just one run on three hits in five innings of work.  She had two strikeouts and two walks.

Pifer was charged with five runs (four earned) on six hits in 1.1 innings.  She allowed one walk with no strikeouts.  Katie Herrick retired three of the eight batters she faced surrendering five earned runs on four hits.  Kuula pitched the final 1.2 innings and allowed one earned run on two hits and three walks.

LEADING THE WARRIORS

Lucas went 4-for-4 with two runs scored and three RBI, while both Psenicka and Lazarek chipped in with two hits apiece.

LEADING THE CAVALIERS

Dehnke had two doubles, out of Walsh's three hits.

UP NEXT

Wayne State's GLIAC opener against Tiffin has been moved to this Friday (March 23rd) with game one starting at 2 p.m.  Earlier schedules had this game on Saturday, March 24th or Wednesday, April 4th.