CLEARWATER, Fla. – The Wayne State University softball team (2-2 overall) continued its play in the NFCA Leadoff Classic on Saturday.  In game one, the Warriors recorded a 9-1 triumph over the University of Indianapolis (1-3 overall) in six innings.  WSU fell 4-2 in the nightcap to 18th-ranked Palm Beach Atlantic (3-3 overall).

GAME ONE RECAP

After the Greyhounds scored a run in the top of the first, WSU responded with a three-run inning in the bottom of the frame.

Senior Hannah McClounie (Essex, Ont.) had a one-out walk, and advanced to third on a single by sophomore Bryanna Kressler (Kitchener, Ont.).  Junior Brooke Turkalj (St. Jacobs, Ont.) followed with an RBI single to center.  Senior catcher Ashley Messina (Troy, Mich.) drove in a pair of runs with a double down the right field line.

The Warriors added to their lead in the second on a one-out single by sophomore Rainey Psenicka (Guelph, Ont.), who stole second with two outs and scored on a single by Kressler.

Wayne State extended its lead in the fourth as junior Rachelle Clayton (Guelph, Ont.) had a leadoff single and stole second.  Clayton went to third on an infield single by Psenicka.  A walk to McClounie loaded the bases, and Kressler delivered a two-run single to center.  After a pop out, Messina plated McClounie with a base hit.

WSU ended the game with two runs in the bottom of the sixth.  Kressler had a leadoff double to right, and junior Emma Adams (Rockwood, Ont.) followed with an RBI double.  Following a pitching change, Adams scored on a UIndy throwing error.

IN THE CIRCLE

Senior Megan Guitar (Croswell, Mich. / Croswell-Lexington) improved to 2-0 by allowing just one earned run on five hits.  She struck out eight and did not walk a batter.

Three different Greyhound hurlers each worked 1 2/3 innings.  Lauren Honkomp (0-2) surrendered four earned runs on five hits with two walks, while Katelyn Fisher allowed two earned runs on two hits.  Amy Kaniewski allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits with two walks.

LEADING THE WARRIORS

Kressler went 4-for-4 with three RBI as each of the top three batters in the WSU lineup scored twice.  Psenicka had three hits, while Messina drove in three runs.

LEADING THE GREYHOUNDS

Five different UIndy batters had one hit apiece.

GAME TWO RECAP

The Warriors took a 2-0 lead in the top of the third as Psenicka had a leadoff single and went to third as McClounie's sacrifice bunt resulted in a throwing error.  Kressler had an RBI single and Turkalj followed with an RBI groundout.

PBA scored once in the third on a walk, sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly.

The Sailfish tied the game at 2-2 the next inning on a leadoff home run by Katherine Budnovich.

Palm Beach Atlantic scored the final two runs in the fifth on a hit by pitch, a throwing error which plated the go-ahead run and a sacrifice fly.

IN THE CIRCLE

Freshman Paige Ameel (Marysville, Mich.) started for WSU and allowed two earned runs on two hits in 3.1 innings.  She struck out two and walked one.  Guitar (2-1) came on in relief in the fourth and closed the door until the two unearned runs in the fifth.  She struck out three and walked three, while allowing just one hit.

Abbey Busby (2-2) went the distance for PBA allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits.  She struck out one and did not walk a batter.

LEADING THE WARRIORS

Psenicka was the lone WSU batter with a multiple-hit game.

LEADING THE SAILFISH

Budnovich went 1-for-2 with two RBI.

UP NEXT

Wayne State will conclude its participation in the NFCA Leadoff Classic with a 9:00 a.m. contest on Sunday against Molloy.