Sunday, April 19, 2009

Game 1 - Wayne State 5 Bemidji State 1 (8 inn.)

Game 2 - Wayne State 5 Bemidji State 2

            Katie Goetzinger set a new single game WSC softball record with 16 strikeouts to highlight Wayne State's sweep over Bemidji State in Northern Sun Conference play Sunday in Bemidji, Minnesota.  The sophomore from Harlan, Iowa struck out 16 batters in a 5-1 eight-inning win over the Beavers in the first game of Sunday's twinbill.  The Wildcats then scored three runs in the top of the seventh inning to win the second game 5-2 and complete the sweep.  

            In the first game, Goetzinger set the single game strikeout record and belted a grand slam in the eighth inning to carry the Wildcats in the 5-1 win.  WSC held a 1-0 lead heading into the bottom of the seventh inning, but the host Beavers knotted the score at 1-1 and sent the game into extra innings.  In the eighth, Hannah Engelkamp singled, Sam Earleywine walked and Amber Baird singled to right to load the bases with one out.  Goetzinger then stepped to the plate and belted a grand slam to give the Wildcats the 5-1 win.

            WSC had 11 hits in the game to seven for Bemidji State.  Goetzinger finished 2 for 4 with a grand slam, double and four RBI's.  Amber Baird and Amy Sandstrom also had two hits for the 'Cats offensively.

            Goetzinger (22-8) pitched all eight innings, notching a school record 16 strikeouts in the game.  She allowed one run on seven hits with one walk.

            The second game saw WSC score three runs in the top of the seventh as the Wildcats completed the sweep with a 5-2 win over the stubborn Beavers.  Both teams scored two runs in the fourth inning.  In the seventh for WSC, Amy Sandstrom led off with a walk and scored on Blaire Kuhl's double.  Sam Earleywine doubled and then scored on Amber Baird's single while Baird scored on Brittany Greenwood's single for the 5-2 win.

            WSC had 10 hits in the second game to just four for Bemidji State.  Baird and Sandstrom each had two singles while Kuhl and Earleywine recorded doubles.  Goetzinger (23-8) earned the pitching win in relief of starter Amber Baird by pitching the final three innings of the game with eight strikeouts of the nine batters she faced.  Baird worked the first four innings, allowing two runs on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

            Wayne State, 31-14 overall and second place in the NSIC at 14-3, will play at league-leading Southwest Minnesota State (16-2 in the NSIC) Wednesday afternoon starting at 2:00 p.m.