DETROIT -- The Wayne State University softball squad (2-5 overall) will play the first four games of its 12-game spring break trip this Saturday and Sunday at the DiamondPlex in Winter Haven, Fla.
The Schedule
WSU vs. Minnesota-Duluth - Saturday, March 9 at 1:30 p.m. ET
WSU vs. Minnesota-Crookston - Saturday, March 9 at 3:45 p.m. ET
WSU vs. New Haven - Sunday, March 10 at 3 p.m. ET
WSU vs. Missouri-St. Louis - Sunday, March 10 at 5:15 p.m. ET
Warrior Preview
After starting the season 2-2, WSU has lost its last three games, twice via shutout. Junior
Rylie Josephson (West Bloomfield, Mich. / Walled Lake Central) is batting .600 (9-for-15) with a triple and two RBI, while second baseman
Maddie Hool (Allen Park, Mich.) is hitting .333 (6-for-18) with four RBI. Freshman
Logan Forman (Brantford, Ont.) has a team-best five RBI, including the squad's only round-tripper. Freshman
Sydney Long (Grand Blanc, Mich.) has a 1-2 mark with a team-leading 14 strikeouts in 24 innings.
Minnesota-Duluth Preview
The Bulldogs are 15-5 after posting a 4-1 win over Northwood earlier today. UMD is playing Saint Anselm later today, and Grand Valley State tomorrow morning before the contest vs. the Warriors. Third-year Bulldog head coach Lynn Anderson's high-powered offense, which is averaging over 4.5 runs per game, is led by junior Nicole Schmitt (.338, 9 2B, 2 HR, 13 RBI) and senior Julia Gronholz (.322, 4 2B, 8 RBI). Lauren Dixon, a senior lefty, leads the UMD pitching staff with a 9-2 record, a 1.17 ERA, and 102 strikeouts in 78 innings.
Minnesota-Crookston Preview
The Golden Eagles are currently 5-15 with four games remaining on their spring break trip starting with Saturday's match-up with Wayne State. UMC has won three of its last four after starting the year at 2-14. Senior Shaelyn Grant leads the team in batting (.339), home runs (5) and RBI (16). Freshman Rayna Frech is hitting .306 with 3 doubles and eight RBI. Sophomore Alexa Guilford (2-3, 15 SO) and senior Thayda Houser (1-4, 19 SO) are two of UMC seven hurlers. Head coach Nick Weinmeister is in his third season with the Golden Eagles.
New Haven Preview
The Chargers will begin their 2024 season vs. Wayne State on Sunday afternoon. UNH compiled a 17-30 mark a season ago, with a 12-12 conference record (Northeast 10). Besides first-year head coach Kelly Patterson, both of the Chargers top two pitchers from a year ago (Mia Iodice and Selena Aponte) have graduated. Sophomore Bella Chenet, who hit a team-leading .325 a season ago, returns after notching 10 doubles, 13 RBI and 20 walks in 2023. Senior Ashley Veisz hit .264 last spring with 12 extra-base hits.
Missouri-St. Louis Preview
The Tritons are 10-10 overall after a 4-3 triumph over Grand Valley State earlier today. After an off day on Saturday, UMSL will play Indiana (Pa.) on Sunday afternoon before facing the Warriors. Interim head coach Chelsey Mulligan's squad is led by fifth-year senior McKenzie Lamos and her .362 batting average (4 HR, 13 RBI) and junior Courtney Settles (.339, 5 2B, 6 RBI). Sophomore pitcher Ashley Borowitz has a 6-6 mark with 59 strikeouts in 61.1 innings.
UP NEXT
Wayne State will have an off day on Monday, but play two games on Tuesday (March 12) vs. Bloomfield College and Quincy.
