Wayne State University Athletics

Softball 3/18/2025 8:43:00 AM Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

Softball To Start "Northern" Schedule With Twinbill Against Northwood

DETROIT -- The Wayne State University softball squad went 7-5 during its spring break trip last week to improve to 10-11 overall. The Warriors being the "northern" portion of their schedule tomorrow with an in-region non-conference doubleheader at home against Northwood University (11-7 overall). First pitch for game one is slated for 3 p.m. at Gary L. Bryce Field.

LEADING THE WARRIORS
The top-two hitters for WSU through 21 games are freshmen Elly Koopman (.417, 5 2B, 3 HR, 21 RBI) and Katelyn DeWitt (.394, 5 2B, 1 3B, 3 HR, 18 RBI). Koopman (Hudsonville, Mich.) and DeWitt (Grand Blanc, Mich.) have primarily been playing first base and third base, respectively. Koopman's .417 mark leads the GLIAC, while DeWitt's 21 runs scored is the top total in the league. Freshman Morgan Williams (Midland, Mich.) leads the squad in walks (11) and ranks second in on-base percentage (.462). Wayne State is hitting a GLIAC-best .296 as a team with 51 extra-base hits, including 16 home runs, which also leads the league. WSU's .449 slugging percentage is tops in the conference as is the 106 runs scored.

Fourth-year head coach Nicole Tines has used five pitchers thus far, with three different individuals each having a shutout, and the fourth (Koopman) posting a 3-0 record with a 1.56 ERA. Junior Grace Fisher (Painesville, Ohio / Riverside [Notre Dame College]) is 3-6 with a 3.15 ERA and 38 strikeouts in 46.2 innings. Meanwhile, sophomore Sydney Long (Grand Blanc, Mich.) has compiled a 3-1 mark with a 3.86 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 49 innings. Long was selected GLIAC Pitcher of the Week yesterday. Junior Hayden Batton (Plainfield, Ind. / Avon) is 1-4 with 17 strikeouts in 23.1 innings as she returns from missing all of 2024 due to surgery.

LEADING THE TIMBERWOLVES
Junior third baseman Delanie Gale has a team-best .391 batting average (25-for-64) with 11 extra-base hits and a team-high 18 RBI. Junior centerfielder Ashlyn Lundquist is hitting .377 (23-for-61), while junior Ashley Ziel is batting .352 (19-for-54).

Ninth-year bench boss Gregg Sauve has used six pitchers in the circle in 2025. Senior Brynn Polega has a 6-1 record with two shutouts and a 1.65 ERA. She has struck out 44 in 46.2 innings, while sophomore Kamden Binney has a 3-2 mark with a 2.08 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 40.1 innings. Both Ziel (1-1-, 3.39 ERA) and junior Brittani Mutter (1-2, 4.00 ERA) have thrown between 10 and 14 innings this spring.

UP NEXT
Wayne State commences conference play with home doubleheaders vs. Davenport (Saturday at 1 p.m.) and Ferris State (Sunday at noon).

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Players Mentioned

#18 Hayden Batton: P; 5' 8"; Junior; L/L

#20 Kate DeWitt: 3B/DP; 5' 7"; Freshman; R/R

#16 Grace Fisher: P; 5' 6"; Junior; R/R

#21 Elly Koopman: P/1B/DP; 5' 9"; Freshman; L/R

#6 Sydney Long: P; 5' 5"; Sophomore; R/R

#15 Morgan Williams: RF/1B; 5' 8"; Freshman; L/L

Players Mentioned

#18 Hayden Batton
: 5' 8"; Junior; L/L
: P

#20 Kate DeWitt
: 5' 7"; Freshman; R/R
: 3B/DP

#16 Grace Fisher
: 5' 6"; Junior; R/R
: P

#21 Elly Koopman
: 5' 9"; Freshman; L/R
: P/1B/DP

#6 Sydney Long
: 5' 5"; Sophomore; R/R
: P

#15 Morgan Williams
: 5' 8"; Freshman; L/L
: RF/1B