CALEDONIA, Mich. -- The Wayne State University softball squad (13-27 overall, 6-16 GLIAC) suffered a pair of setbacks at Davenport University (20-20 overall, 12-10 GLIAC) on Sunday. The host Panthers held off a late WSU rally for a 4-3 win in game one. In game two, the Warriors led 1-0, but DU scored four times in the fifth on two hits, three walks and a Wayne State error for the 4-1 victory.
GAME ONE RECAP
DU took a 1-0 lead after the first two batters in the bottom of the first - Gabby Palazzolo and Riley Hasseld - each doubled.
Davenport extended its advantage in the third on a two-run home run by pitcher Ellie Muilenburg.
The Panthers added a solo run in the fourth on leadoff single by Palazzolo and an RBI triple by Hasseld.
WSU has back-to-back singles by
Leah Wrubel (Kalamazoo, Mich. / Mattawan) and
Avieri Ludwig (Chesterfield, Mich. / Anchor Bay), but a strikeout, and two consecutive lineouts ended the threat.
In the top of the sixth,
Mady Ruczynski (Richmond, Mich. / Armada) had an infield single as her high chopper was gathered by the DU second baseman behind second base. She advanced to second on a wild pitch and moved to third on a ground out.
Breanna Paolatto (Belle River, Ont.) walked on four pitches and
Rose Myers (Rochester Hills, Mich. / Rochester) reached to load the bases as the throw to first on her grounder pulled the first baseman off the bag. Ruczynski scored on a wild pitch. Ludwig, after fouling off a 3-2 offering, hit a two-run double over the left fielder's head to pull the Warriors within 3-2.
IN THE CIRCLE
Paige Ameel (Marysville, Mich.) allowed four earned runs on 10 hits in six innings. She struck out one and walked two.
Muilenberg allowed three runs (one earned) on seven hits. She struck out six and walked two.
LEADING THE WARRIORS
Ludwig had two hits and two RBI.
LEADING THE PANTHERS
Hasseld went 3-for-4 with two RBI, while Palazzolo had two hits and scored twice.
G
AME TWO RECAP
Wayne State was able to score in the top of the second as
Alexis Bonk (New Hudson, Mich. / South Lyon) had a leadoff single and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Myers. A single by
Becky Hodder (Orangeville, Ont.) put runners on the corners, with Bonk scoring on a single by Ludwig.
The game remained 1-0 until the bottom of the fifth, when the Panthers had back-to-back walks to start the inning. An RBI double by Lindsay Goodman tied the game, before another free pass loaded the bases. Palazzolo had an RBI single to make it 2-1. DU's third run scored on a ground out, while the fourth run came as a result of a WSU fielding error.
Wayne State out-hit the host Panthers 6-3.
IN THE CIRCLE
Bonk started for WSU and allowed four runs (three earned) on three hits in four-plus innings. She walked four and did not record a strikeout.
Emily Karas (Macomb Twp., Mich. / Utica Henry Ford II) pitched the final two innings not allowing a hit.
Emma Miller (11-10) limited Wayne State to one run on six hits in seven innings. She struck out two and did not walk a batter.
LEADING THE WARRIORS
Ludwig and Psenicka each had two hits, with Ludwig driving in the lone WSU run.
LEADING THE PANTHERS
Palazzolo had two of DU's three hits, while Rylie Kalina reached base twice via walks.
UP NEXT
Wayne State will try to end its eight-game losing streak Friday afternoon in a GLIAC doubleheader at Ferris State.
