Game 1 - Wayne State 1 Mary 0
Game 2 - Wayne State 3 Mary 2
The Wayne State College softball team posted a doubleheader sweep at the University of Mary Saturday afternoon in Northern Sun Conference play, winning 1-0 and 3-2. The Wildcats are now 25-7 overall and 10-2 in the NSIC while the host Marauders slip to 23-15 overall and 8-6 in league play.
The first game saw Wildcat pitcher Katie Goetzinger pitch a complete game three-hit shutout with seven strikeouts as Wayne State slipped by Mary 1-0. The only run of the game was scored in the fourth inning as WSC had four hits but scored just one run. Blaire Kuhl left off with a single but was later thrown out at home after Katie Goetzinger singled to center field. Brittany Greenwood and Kassie Nurton each singled to load the bases and Goetzinger scored when Amy Sandstrom's fly ball to first base was dropped for an error for the game's only run.
Nurton finished 2 for 3 with a pair of singles to lead Wayne State's seven-hit attack while Hannah Engelkamp added two singles in four at bats. Kuhl, Greenwood and Goetzinger also singled for WSC in the win.
Goetzinger improved to 16-5 on the season with the pitching win, striking out seven without issuing a walk and allowing just three hits in the win.
The second game saw WSC make the most of their four hits in a 3-2 win over the Marauders. In the first inning, WSC scored when Hannah Engelkamp reached on a two-out error and later scored on a bases loaded walk to Jennifer Radley after Sam Earleywine singled and Blaire Kuhl walked to give WSC a 1-0 lead. The 'Cats took a 2-0 lead in the third inning when Kuhl reached on a fielder's choice and scored on Radley's double.
After Mary scored in the bottom of the third to make the score 2-1, WSC scored again in the fourth inning when Kassie Nurton singled and scored on Hannah Engelkamp's single for a 3-1 Wayne State advantage. Mary pulled within one run at 3-2 in the bottom of the fourth inning but would get no closer as Wayne State's Katie Goetzinger relieved starter Amber Baird and struck out seven Marauder batters over the final four innings to help the 'Cats hang on for the 3-2 win.
Radley's double was the only extra base hit for WSC in the game. Engelkamp, Sam Earleywine and Kassie Nurton each added singles for the Wildcats.
Katie Goetzinger (17-5) pitched four innings of relief in place of starter Amber Baird to pick up the win. She gave up just two hits while striking out seven to seal the win. Baird allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits in three innings of work with three walks and two strikeouts.
Wayne State will be in action again on Sunday visiting Northern State in Aberdeen, South Dakota for a Northern Sun Conference doubleheader starting at noon.
