BIG RAPIDS, Mich. – The Wayne State University softball squad (27-18 overall, 10-14 GLIAC) rebounded from a 7-1 setback in the opening game of Saturday's doubleheader at Ferris State University (18-28 overall, 9-17 GLIAC) to post a 10-2 triumph in six innings in the nightcap.
The game two victory was No. 1,300 in the illustrious career of WSU head coach
Gary Bryce. He is seventh on the NCAA All-Time wins list (all three divisions combined).
GAME ONE RECAP
FSU scored an unearned run in the first to take an early 1-0 lead. The first two batters were retired before Paige Kortz reached on an error, stole second and scored on a single.
The Bulldogs scored four times in the second on three singles and two doubles for a 5-0 advantage.
The Warriors scored their first run in the third as senior
Megan Guitar (Croswell, Mich. / Croswell-Lexington) had an infield single and advanced to second on a single by sophomore infielder
Rose Myers (Rochester Hills, Mich. / Rochester). A single by sophomore second baseman
Rainey Psenicka (Guelph, Ont.) loaded the bases with zero outs. Following a lineout double play, sophomore center fielder
Bryanna Kressler (Kitchener, Ont.) singled to score Guitar.
Ferris State extended its lead to 7-1 with a two-run single in the bottom of the fifth.
WSU was able to score once in the seventh as freshman
Raechel Carroll (Southgate, Mich. / Anderson) had a one-out double (her first collegiate hit) and scored on a single by Guitar.
IN THE CIRCLE
Guitar (15-11) suffered the loss after allowing seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits in five innings. She struck out seven and walked one.
Carroll retired three of the four batters she faced in the bottom of the sixth.
Kaitlyn Nugent (2-1) limited WSU to two runs on nine hits in seven innings. She struck out one and did not walk a batter.
LEADING THE WARRIORS
Guitar went 3-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI, while Psenicka went 2-for-4.
LEADING THE BULLDOGS
Kortz, Kylie Winkels and Kaitlyn Orme each had two hits and scored a run.
GAME TWO RECAP
WSU ended a five-game losing streak as the offense scored 10 runs, matching the total scored in the previous six games combined.
Wayne State was able to grab an early 1-0 advantage by scoring in the top of the first. Senior infielder
Hannah McClounie (Essex, Ont.) had a one-out single, stole second and moved to third on a ground out. McClounie scored on an infield single by junior
Brooke Turkalj (St. Jacobs, Ont.).
The Warrior offense scored three times in the top of the second. Guitar had a leadoff double to right center and advanced to third on a single by redshirt freshman
Emily Dodge (Burlington, Ont.). An RBI ground out by freshman outfielder
Monica Daly (Ancaster, Ont.) plated Guitar. Psenicka's RBI single right made it 3-0, while Kressler doubled to right center scoring Psenicka.
Ferris State scored twice in the second on two hit by pitches and two singles.
WSU added to its lead in the third as junior
Emma Adams (Rockwood, Ont.) had a leadoff double and scored on a two-out single by Daly.
Wayne State went ahead 6-2 in the fourth as McClounie smacked her team-leading 11th home run of the season with one out.
The Warrior offense, which had not scored more than two runs in a game in any of the past six contests, erupted for four runs in the top of the sixth. Psenicka had a leadoff single and McClounie connected for her 12th round-tripper of the campaign. The 12 four-baggers are the most since Lyndsay Butler hit 12 in 2016, and is tied-for-third most in program history (Amanda Jennings had 13 in 1999; a mark equaled by Alison Allen in 2011).
Turkalj walked with one out and senior
Ashley Messina (Troy, Mich.) followed with a single. Adams had an RBI double and Guitar's sacrifice fly scored Myers, who was a pinch-runner for Messina.
IN THE CIRCLE
Freshman
Paige Ameel (Marysville, Mich.) earned her 10th win of the season by limiting the Bulldogs to two runs on six hits in six innings. She struck out six and walked one.
Abby Highway (10-13) suffered the setback after allowing six earned runs on 11 hits in 3.1 innings. Highway did not record a strikeout or a walk. Connor Proctor pitched the final 2.2 innings allowing four earned runs on five hits with two walks.
LEADING THE WARRIORS
McClounie went 3-for-4 with three runs, three RBI and two home runs, while Adams also had three hits, including two doubles. Psenicka, Turkalj and Messina each contributed two hits as part of WSU's 16-hit attack.
LEADING THE BULLDOGS
Kodi Ramirez had two hits and both RBI from her leadoff spot, while Jessica Tucci had two hits.
UP NEXT
Wayne State will begin a six-game home stand with a doubleheader at Gary L Bryce Field on Tuesday against Purdue Northwest.
