TIFFIN, Ohio -- The Wayne State University softball team (16-25 overall) lost twice at in-region foe Tiffin University (29-11 overall) on Wednesday afternoon.  The Dragons snapped a 1-1 deadlock with a five-run fifth to claim the opener 7-1.  TU won the nightcap 5-1 in five innings due to weather.

GAME 1 RECAP
Tiffin took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a one-out RBI single to right by Jessica Miller after McKenna Scott had led off the inning with a double to right center.

The Warriors evened the score in the third as sophomore outfielder Julia Sandles (Macomb, Mich. / Dakota [UMSL]) worked an eight-pitch walk leading off the inning.  With two outs and sophomore shortstop Hunter Near (Coopersville, Mich.) on first, sophomore pitcher Elly Koopman (Hudsonville, Mich.) laced an right double to left center scoring Near with the tying run.

In the bottom of the fifth, the first two Dragon batters were hit by a pitch.  Koopman then retired the next two hitters before allowing a three-run home run to Molly Koesters.  Following a walk, Reagan Mengerink hit a two-run home run to make it 6-1.

A sacrifice fly in the sixth off the bat of Macy Brazelton scored the game's final run.

IN THE CIRCLE
Koopman (2-5) allowed six earned run on five hits and five walks in five innings.  She struck out three.  Junior Kyra Shadduck (DeWitt, Mich. [Lansing C.C.]) allowed one run on one hit and a walk in her lone inning of work.

Ella Esterby (14-7) limited WSU to one run on four hits in seven innings.  She struck out four and walked two.

LEADING THE WARRIORS
Koopman went 2-for-3 with an RBI, while Sandles reached base twice - hit and a walk.

LEADING THE DRAGONS
Scott went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, while three other TU batters had one hit apiece.

GAME 2 RECAP
Wayne State grabbed an early 1-0 advantage just three batters into game two.  Near had a leadoff triple, her seventh three-bagger of the season.  With one out, Koopman laced a single through the right side scoring Near.  Singles by senior Maddie Hool (Allen Park, Mich.) and freshman Marin McCullough (Battle Creek, Mich. / Lakeview) loaded the bases, but the Warriors could not extend their lead.

Tiffin scored twice in the bottom of the first on back-to-back one-out singles, and two-run two-out single by Brazelton.

In the bottom of the fourth, Tar Gall had a leadoff single.  Pinch-runner Tori Abel stole second and scored on a single by Brazelton.  Pinch-runner Lydia Kobie moved to third on a pair of walks sandwiched around a fly out.  Kobie scored on a sacrifice fly by Marina Koenig.

The game's final run came in the bottom of the fifth on a one-out double by Tori McPherson.  She advanced to third on a ground out and scored on a single by Gall.

IN THE CIRCLE
Senior Hayden Batton (Plainfield, Ind. / Avon) tossed all five innings and allowed five earned runs on seven hits.  She struck out three and walked two.

Lexi Key (15-4) held WSU to one run on five hits in five innings.  She struck out six and did not walk a batter.

LEADING THE WARRIORS
Five different WSU batters had a hit, with Koopman driving in the lone run.

LEADING THE DRAGONS
McPherson, Gall and Brazelton each had two hits, with Brazelton driving in three.
  
UP NEXT
Wayne State will entertain Purdue Northwest at home on Saturday (1 PM) for Senior Day, before entertaining Grand Valley State on Sunday (Noon).