Game 1 - Wayne State 5 Neb.-Kearney 0

Game 2 - Wayne State 14 Neb.-Kearney 2


            The Wayne State softball team showed few signs of an 11-day layoff Tuesday afternoon, taking two games from Nebraska-Kearney in Kearney by scores of 5-0 and 14-2.  In the first game WSC hit three home runs to down UNK 5-0 and the Wildcats used a seven-run first inning to take control early while rolling past the Lopers 14-2 in the second game to complete the sweep. The wins make Wayne State 14-2 on the season with the Lopers falling to 5-7 on the season.

            The first game saw the Wildcats use three home runs and the four-hit pitching of Katie Goetzinger and Amber Baird to blank the Lopers 5-0.  WSC opened the scoring in the first with two runs when Amy Sandstrom singled and scored on Sam Earleywine's two-run homer for a 2-0 lead.  The 'Cats added three runs in the fifth inning to close out the scoring as Aeriell Earleywine singled and scored on Hannah Engelkamp's two-run homer.  Then, Blaire Kuhl added a solo blast to make the final score 5-0.

            Goetzinger (8-2) tossed five scoreless innings, allowing just three hits with six strikeouts and one walk, while Amber Baird worked the final two innings notching five strikeouts and allowing just one hit with two walks.

            WSC had seven hits in the game, led by Aeriell Earleywine going 2 for 3 at the plate.  Sam Earleywine and Hannah Engelkamp each had two-run homers while Blaire Kuhl added a solo shot to highlight Wayne State's seven hits.

            The second game saw WSC take control early with a seven-run first inning as the Wildcats scored in every inning while posting a 14-2 win to complete the sweep. The 'Cats banged out eight hits in the first inning to jump on the Lopers early as Jennifer Radley produced a two-run single while Michele Hogan, Amy Sandstrom and Blaire Kuhl each added RBI singles.  Aeriell Earleywine laced an RBI single in the two-run second and Radley added a solo homer in the third inning to give WSC a 10-0 lead. Blaire Kuhl's three run homer capped a three run fourth inning and Kuhl added an RBI single to close out WSC scoring in the fifth inning to cap the 14-2 win.

            WSC had a season-high 17 hits in the win, led by Jennifer Radley going 3 for 3 with a homer, three RBI's and three runs scored.  Blaire Kuhl finished 3 for 5 with a homer and five RBI's while Aeriell Earleywine chipped in with three hits in four plate appearances.  Kassie Nurton, Amy Sandstrom and Hannah Engelkamp each contributed two hits apiece for the Wildcats.

            Freshman Michele Hogan (2-0) was the winning pitcher, tossing a complete game two hitter as both runs scored were unearned.  She struck out five and walked just one in the win.

            Wayne State will play its home opener on Wednesday afternoon hosting Nebraska-Omaha in a 2:00 p.m. doubleheader at the Pete Chapman Softball Complex.