CLEARWATER, Fla. – The Wayne State University softball team (1-1 overall) began its 2019 campaign with mixed results on Friday at the NFCA Leadoff Classic.  In the season-opener, the Warriors edged No. 8 West Chester (0-1 overall) 1-0 in nine innings.  WSU fell 5-1 in the nightcap to Eckerd (3-3 overall).

GAME ONE RECAP

Wayne State senior Megan Guitar (Croswell, Mich. / Croswell-Lexington) and WCU's Reilly Gearhart, a Division I transfer from LaSalle, were locked in a scoreless pitcher's duel that took extra innings to finally plate a run.

The Golden Rams had four runners get into scoring position during the first seven innings, but each time Guitar was able to get a key out.

Meanwhile, the Warriors had just one baserunner in the first four innings – when senior Ashley Messina (Troy, Mich.) was hit by a pitch in the second.  Junior Emma Adams (Rockwood, Ont.) had a two-out double in the fifth.

WSU had two base runners in the top of the sixth as sophomore Rainey Psenicka (Guelph, Ont.) walked with two outs and advanced to second on a single by classmate Bryanna Kressler (Kitchener, Ont.), but the next batter was retired.

Adams worked a two-out walk in the seventh, but was stranded.

Neither team was able to score in the eighth despite using the international tie-breaker rule.  

In the top of the ninth, Kressler laced a 1-0 offering into centerfield plating Psenicka.

Guitar then retired three WCU batters in order for the victory.

IN THE CIRCLE

Guitar (1-0) allowed five hits but was able to get the shutout behind 11 strikeouts to three walks.

Gearhart (0-1) allowed the one unearned run on three hits.  She struck out five and walked two.

LEADING THE WARRIORS

Kressler went 2-for-4 with the game-winning RBI, while Adams went 1-for-2 with a walk.  Kressler led the 2018 squad with nine game-winning RBI.

LEADING THE GOLDEN RAMS

Annamarie Hartman went 2-for-4 with a double, while both Courtney Stump and Gillian Thomas went 1-for-3 with a walk.

GAME TWO RECAP

After the Tritons scored an unearned run in the top of the first, WSU knotted the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the third as freshman Monica Daly (Ancaster, Ont.) had a leadoff single and advanced to second on a single by senior Hannah McClounie (Essex, Ont.).  A fielder's choice left runners on the corners, and Kressler drove in the tying run with a fielder's choice.

EC answered with a go-ahead run in the fourth and sealed the win with a trio of runs in the sixth.

IN THE CIRCLE

Freshman Paige Ameel (Marysville, Mich.) went the distance allowing five runs (three earned) on seven hits.  She struck out seven and walked five.

Hannah Perkins (1-1) tossed the first five innings for Eckerd to earn the victory.  She allowed one earned run on five hits with two walks to zero strikeouts.  Nikole Van Gennep recorded six outs, while facing just six batters thanks to a double play.  She struck out one and allowed one hit.

LEADING THE WARRIORS

Kressler went 1-for-3 with an RBI, while McClounie went 2-for-4.  Junior Brooke Turkalj (St. Jacobs, Ont.) went 1-for-2 with a walk.

LEADING THE TRITONS

Skylar Redish went 1-for-2 with two walks and two runs scored, while five other EC players had a hit.

UP NEXT

Wayne State will continue its participation in the NFCA Leadoff Classic with a pair of games on Saturday.   The Warriors face in-region foe Indianapolis at noon, followed by a 2:30 p.m. contest against No. 18 Palm Beach Atlantic.