Wayne State University Athletics

Brooke Nadolny drove in four runs and was the winning pitcher.

Softball 5/11/2021 11:57:00 AM Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

Softball Upends Saginaw Valley 7-1 In GLIAC Tournament Opening Round

Nadolny earns the victory and drives in four.

Box Score SANDUSKY, Ohio -- The fifth-seeded Wayne State University softball team (22-19 overall) began the 2021 GLIAC Tournament with a 7-1 triumph over fourth-seeded Saginaw Valley State University (28-16 overall).

GAME RECAP
The Warriors took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first as senior second baseman Rainey Psenicka (Guelph, Ont.) had a leadoff double to left and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by senior Bryanna Kressler (Kitchener, Ont.). Sophomore Brooke Nadolny (Clinton Township, Mich. / L'Anse Creuse) delivered an RBI single to center.

The Cardinals had a chance to even the score in the bottom of the second loading the bases with one out, but Sabrina Sage lined into a double play to end the threat.

WSU extended its lead in the third as Kressler reached on a one-out error and Nadolny smacked her team-leading fifth home run.

SVSU scored an unearned run in the third as Jackie Popko reached on an error, stole second and scored on a two-out single by Meagan VerVaecke.

Wayne State regained its three-run advantage in the fourth as senior first baseman Emma Adams (Rockwood, Ont.) had a leadoff single to left. Pinch-runner Abby Favela (Riverside, Ill. / Riverside-Brookfield) went to second on a wild pitch, and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by senior right fielder Rachelle Clayton (Guelph, Ont.). Favela scored on a ground out by freshman Shelby Miller (Georgetown, Ont.).

Saginaw Valley had a golden opportunity to score in the fifth with back-to-back leadoff singles by Popko and Julia Salisbury. A sacrifice bunt moved both runners into scoring position, but Nadolny notched two consecutive strikeouts to end the inning.

The Warriors added three insurance runs in the top of the seventh. Kressler had a two-out single to center to start the rally. Nadolny followed with a double to left scoring Kressler to make it 5-1. Senior Brooke Turkalj (St. Jacobs, Ont.) doubled plating Nadolny with Turkalj scoring on a Cardinal miscue.

IN THE CIRCLE
Nadolny improved to 7-4 by allowing just one unearned run on seven hits in seven innings. She struck out three and walked two.

Emily Depew (9-3) allowed three runs on four hits in 2.1 innings. She struck out one and did not walk a batter. Alyssa Muench pitched the final 4.2 innings allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits. She struck out one and walked one.

LEADING THE WARRIORS
Nadolny went 3-for-4 with four RBI and two runs scored, while six other Warriors had one hit apiece.

LEADING THE CARDINALS
Salisbury, VerVaecke and Moyler each had two hits.

UP NEXT
Wayne State will face top-seeded Grand Valley State University (38-7 overall) in a winner's bracket semifinal contest at noon today.

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Players Mentioned

#9 Emma Adams: 1B/DP; 5' 7"; Redshirt Senior; L/R

#4 Rachelle Clayton: RF; 5' 6"; Redshirt Senior; L/R

#7 Abby Favela: LF/CF; 5' 3"; Freshman; R/R

#12 Bryanna Kressler: SS/CF; 5' 2"; Senior; R/R

#8 Shelby Miller: OF/SS; 5' 7"; Freshman; L/R

#21 Brooke Nadolny: CF/P; 5' 7"; Sophomore; R/R

#14 Rainey Psenicka: 2B; 5' 5"; Senior; R/R

#10 Brooke Turkalj: C/1B; 5' 7"; Redshirt Senior; L/R

Players Mentioned

#9 Emma Adams
: 5' 7"; Redshirt Senior; L/R
: 1B/DP

#4 Rachelle Clayton
: 5' 6"; Redshirt Senior; L/R
: RF

#7 Abby Favela
: 5' 3"; Freshman; R/R
: LF/CF

#12 Bryanna Kressler
: 5' 2"; Senior; R/R
: SS/CF

#8 Shelby Miller
: 5' 7"; Freshman; L/R
: OF/SS

#21 Brooke Nadolny
: 5' 7"; Sophomore; R/R
: CF/P

#14 Rainey Psenicka
: 5' 5"; Senior; R/R
: 2B

#10 Brooke Turkalj
: 5' 7"; Redshirt Senior; L/R
: C/1B