Wayne State University Athletics

Softball 3/20/2025 8:42:00 PM Jeff Weiss, Senior Associate Director of Athletics/Media Relations

Softball Begins GLIAC Play With Home Doubleheaders On Friday And Sunday, Weather Permitting

DETROIT -- The Wayne State University softball squad (11-12 overall) will begin GLIAC play this weekend weather permitting. The conference schedule already has one adjustment as Davenport will visit Motown on Friday, March 21st for a twinbill at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. instead of March 22nd. As of now, the doubleheader vs. Ferris State on Sunday, March 23rd at noon and 2 p.m. is still on.

WSU split an in-region non-conference doubleheader with Northwood on Wednesday at Gary L Bryce Field. The visiting Timberwolves scored seven runs in the top of the sixth inning to rally from a 2-0 deficit and defeat the Warriors 7-3 in game one. Wayne State had leads of 4-0 and 7-2 in the nightcap before holding on for a 7-5 triumph.

LEADING THE WARRIORS
Freshmen Katelyn DeWitt (Grand Blanc, Mich.) and Elly Koopman (Hudsonville, Mich.) continue to lead WSU offensively. DeWitt is batting .425 (31-for-73) with 12 extra-base hits (6 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR), along with a .712 slugging percentage. Koopman is hitting .388 (26-for-67) with a team-leading 22 RBI. Classmate Morgan Williams has a team-best 13 walks for her .467 on-base percentage. Senior second baseman Jessie O'Donnell (Campbellville, Ont.) is hitting .324 (12-for-37), while senior third baseman Madison Martinez is batting .320 (8-for-25).

Junior Grace Fisher (Painesville, Ohio / Riverside [Notre Dame College]) leads the squad with four wins. She has a 3.26 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 53.2 innings. Sophomore Sydney Long (Grand Blanc, Mich.) is 3-2 with a team-best 44 strikeouts in 54.1 innings. Koopman is 3-0 with a 1.56 ERA in 18 innings. Hayden Batton (Plainfield, Ind. / Avon) has thrown 25 innings after missing all of last season.

Nicole Tines is in her fourth season guiding the Warriors.

LEADING THE PANTHERS
Davenport is led by interim head coach Ronda Varnesdeel, who spent five years (2009-2013) as head coach at DU compiling a 186-87-2 record, while leading the Panthers to two NAIA National Tournaments. DU is 9-11 this spring after a pair of losses at Quincy (9-1 [6 inn.] and 9-0 [5 inn.]) on Wednesday.

Shortstop Savanna Disbrow is hitting .313 (20-for-64) with a team-best 13 RBI. Outfielder Brooke Bernt is batting .423 (11-for-26). Kylie Hegland has a team-high .375 on-base percentage thanks to 10 walks. Both Ally Prasnjak and Darby Kramp have each hit two home runs this spring.

Hailey Whisman has been DU's primary pitcher compiling a 5-4 record with seven complete games and a 3.44 ERA. She has struck out 42 in a team-best 59 innings. Hannah Tahaney (3-4, 3.08 ERA, 20 SO, 36.1 IP) and Mariah Stines (0-1, 3.36 ERA, 8 SO, 16.2 IP) are next in terms of innings pitched.

LEADING THE BULLDOGS
Ferris State is 11-5 overall after winning all six of its games in Florida.

Jayden Marlatt is batting a team-best .395 (17-for-43) and with nine walks has a .509 on-base percentage. Alexis Kozlowski is hitting .377 (20-for-53), while Emma Gillard leads the squad with 17 RBI. Maddie Gkekas has eight stolen bases in nine attempts.

Ella Covill-Marter (5-2, 2.23 ERA, 25 SO, 44 IP) and Cecelia Bell (3-1, 2.27 ERA, 14 SO, 40 IP) have each started three games in the circle for FSU. Catherine O'Donohue is 3-0, with a 0.48 ERA in 14.2 innings.

Head coach Jake Schumann is in his third season leading the Bulldogs.

UP NEXT
Wayne State remains at home for a GLIAC doubleheader against Saginaw Valley State on Wednesday, March 26th.

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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

#5 Madison Martinez: 3B; 5' 4"; Senior; R/R

#9 Jessie O'Donnell: LF/2B; 5' 8"; Redshirt Senior; 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

#5 Madison Martinez
: 5' 4"; Senior; R/R
: 3B

#9 Jessie O'Donnell
: 5' 8"; Redshirt Senior; R/R
: LF/2B

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