DETROIT -- The Wayne State University softball team (14-8 overall, 7-7 GLIAC) suffered a pair of home losses to Ashland University (5-13 overall, 2-6 GLIAC). AU won the opener 3-2, and took the nightcap 4-1.
GAME ONE RECAP
The Warriors grabbed an early 1-0 lead with a run in the bottom of the first. Sophomore center fielder
Brooke Nadolny (Clinton Twp., Mich. / L'Anse Creuse) had a leadoff single and went to second on a single by senior second baseman
Rainey Psenicka (Guelph, Ont.). After a force out at second base, Nadolny scored when a grounder by
Brooke Turkalj (St. Jacobs, Ont.) was misplayed.
AU loaded the bases in the second after the first two batters were retired on a single and back-to-back walks but a lineout ended the frame.
Wayne State had back-to-back two-out hits in the second by sophomore outfielder
Gabby Kaple (Galion, Ohio) and Nadolny but a groundout ended the threat.
The Eagles went ahead for good in the fifth after a leadoff walk and a one-out home run by Kayla Ruperto.
WSU had two runners on in the fifth on an error and a single by senior shortstop
Bryanna Kressler (Kitchener, Ont.) but a groundout ended the inning.
Ashland's Abby Butler smacked a one-out home run in the sixth to make it 3-1.
In the bottom of the seventh, Nadolny drew a two-out walk and scored on a double to center field by Psenicka. A groundout ended the contest with the tying run on second base.
WSU went 4-for-11 with runners on base, but 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
IN THE CIRCLE
Junior
Paige Ameel (Marysville, Mich.)allowed three earned runs on four hits and five walks in six innings to fall to 6-4. Freshman
Alexis Bonk (New Hudson, Mich. / South Lyon) retired three of the four batters she faced in the seventh, including one on strikes.
Ruperto (3-4) limited WSU to two earned runs on six hits with one walk and zero strikeouts to earn the victory.
LEADING THE WARRIORS
Nadolny went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored, while Psenicka had two hits.
LEADING THE EAGLES
Ruperto and Butler each had two hits, a run scored with Ruperto driving in two and Butler one.
GAME TWO RECAP
Wayne State had a chance to repeat the first inning from game one as both Nadolny and Psenicka singled. Two ground balls were sandwiched around a strikeout to keep WSU off the scoreboard.
The Warriors did take a 1-0 lead in the second as senior third baseman
Rose Myers (Rochester Hills, Mich. / Rochester) drew an eight-pitch walk. Junior catcher
Avieri Ludwig (Chesterfield, Mich. / Anchor Bay) reached on a dropped fly ball with Myers advancing to third on a force out. Nadolny delivere with an RBI single through the left side.
Wayne State had another scoring opportunity in the third and Turkle and senior
Amy Claydon (Cambridge, Ont.) had back-to-back one-out singles. Myers walked with two outs to load the bases but a groundout ended the frame.
Ashland scored all four of its runs in the fifth. Following a leadoff single, back-to-back fielder's choices had a runner at first with outs. A defensive lapse by WSU gave the Eagles runners at the corners. An RBI single by Haylee Frost tied the score at 1-1. A wild pitch scored an unearned run and AU's Hailey Krinn hit a two-run double off the fence in left centerfield.
Nine of WSU's final 10 batters were retired.
Wayne State stranded eight base runners to one for Ashland. The Warriors were 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position.
IN THE CIRCLE
Claydon (3-1) allowed four runs (one earned) on five hits in five innings. She did not record a srikeout or a walk. Nadolny pitched the final two innings and retired all six batters she faced, including one on strikes.
Jillian Middleton (1-6) limited the Warriors to one unearned on six hits in the complete game victory. She struck out five and walked two.
LEADING THE WARRIORS
Nadolny had two hits and the lone RBI. Myers walked twice and score the lone run.
LEADING THE EAGLES
Middleton had two hits in addition to earning the win.
UP NEXT
Wayne State will play three road conference doubleheaders this week starting Wednesday at Davenport.
