ROSEMONT, Ill. -- The Wayne State University softball team (10-12 overall, 3-1 GLIAC) had to do some extra traveling on Sunday in order to play its games against the University of Wisconsin Parkside (5-17 overall, 1-1 GLIAC). The Rangers won the opener 1-0 scoring in the bottom of the sixth after being no-hit until that point. WSU scored three times in the second and held on for a 3-1 triumph in the nightcap.
Both UWP's field and a local high school field were deemed unplayable so the teams headed south to the Dome at the Ballpark next to O'Hare Airport in Chicago.
GAME 1 RECAP
The Warriors had the leadoff batter reach in each of the first two innings, but were unable to score.
Rainey Psenicka (Guelph, Ont.) led off the contest with a double and moved to third on a ground out, but a ground out and a fly out ended the first.
Emily Guzzo (London, Ont.) had an infield single to start the second and went to second as
Rose Myers (Rochester Hills, Mich. / Rochester) reached on a two-out error.
Guzzo had a one-out double in the fourth but was thrown out at third after pausing around second base.
Avieri Ludwig (Chesterfield, Mich. / Anchor Bay) lined a leadoff single into center to start the fifth. Myers had a single but the pinch-runner was caught rounding second. A two-out walk to Psenicka advanced Myers into scoring position but a ground out ended the frame.
Mady Ruczynski (Richmond, Mich. / Armada) had a leadoff single in the sixth, but the next three batters were retired.
After failing to score despite having the leadoff batter reach in four of the first six innings, WSU fell behind in the bottom of the sixth.
Caroleann Goglin had a leadoff single and pinch-runner Tai Gonzale went to second on a two-out walk. Jadyn Powell delivered an RBI single to right.
Ludwig led off the seventh with a walk and pinch-hitter
Alexis Bonk (New Hudson, Mich. / South Lyon) had a one-out single, but a double play ended the contest.
IN THE CIRCLE
Senior
Paige Ameel (Marysville, Mich.) was stellar retiring 15 of the first 16 batters of the game, before allowing two hits and a walk in the sixth. The lone base runner for UWP through the first five innings was a two-out hit by pitch in the second. Ameel struck out nine and walked one.
Kiley Akey (4-7) scattered seven hits in blanking the Warriors. She struck out one and walked two.
LEADING THE WARRIORS
Guzzo had two hits. Both Psenicka and Ludwig reached base twice on a hit and a walk.
LEADING THE RANGERS
Powell drove in the game's only run.
GAME 2 RECAP
Wayne State produced all three runs in the top of the second on three hits, a wild pitch and a throwing error. Bonk had an infield single to start the frame and went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Guzzo. Outfielder
Gabby Kaple (Galion, Ohio) had a bunt single to put runners on the corners. Myers laced an RBI double down the right field line to snap the scoreless deadlock. After a ground out, a wild pitch plated Kaple and the throw to the plate was errant allowing Myers to score.
The Rangers had two hits in the bottom of the seventh, a leadoff single by Tia Livernash, and a two-out RBI double by Dani Evans. With the tying run at bat, Bonk induced pinch-hitter Emmee Ball into a pop out to end the game.
IN THE CIRCLE
Bonk allowed one run on four hits in the complete game effort. She struck out eight and did not walk a batter.
Olivia Masnica (0-2) hurled the first 6.1 innings for the Rangers and surrendered three runs (two earned) on nine hits. She struck out one and did not walk a batter. Tijanne Ross retired both batters she faced.
LEADING THE WARRIORS
Eight of the nine WSU batters had one hit with shortstop
Shelby Miller (Georgetown, Ont.) having a two-hit affair.
LEADING THE RANGERS
Evans and Powell each had doubles with Evans driving in the lone UWP run.
UP NEXT
Wayne State will have a busy week at home starting with a GLIAC twinbill vs. Saginaw Valley State on Wednesday. First pitch at Gary L Bryce Field is slated for 3:30 PM. WSU will entertain Davenport on Saturday (April 9th) on Alumni Day, before hosting Grand Valley State on Sunday (April 10th).
