The Wayne State softball team used three home runs Wednesday afternoon to earn a sweep of Southwest Minnesota State at the Pete Chapman Softball Complex in Wayne. Hannah Engelkamp went 4 for 4 in game one with a three run home run to lead WSC to a 7-5 victory. In the second game Amy Sandstrom and Jennifer Radley each hit solo homers to carry Wayne State to a 2-0 win. The sweep gives the Wildcat a 32-12 overall record and 17-5 in the NSIC. The pair of losses makes the Mustangs 17-20 overall and 10-12 in the conference.

            The Wildcats got out to a 3-0 lead in the first game thanks to Engelkamp's homer that cleared the left centerfield fence. The Mustangs responded with two runs of their own in the top of the fourth inning to cut the Wildcats lead to 3-2. Wayne State added three runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 6-2 lead. The inning was highlighted by two RBI single by Engelkamp who would later add an RBI double.

            The Mustangs battled back in the sixth and seventh innings. Southwest Minnesota State scored a run in the sixth and two in the seventh inning to cut the Cats' lead to as small as two, but that was not enough as the Wildcats picked up the 7-5 victory.

            Engelkamp was 4 for 4 with a career high six RBI's in the first game. Engelkamp hit a homer and a double to go along with two singles. Sam Earleywine was 1 for 1 with two walks and three runs scored. Katie Goetzinger (21-8) got the win pitching five and two thirds innings with ten strikeouts. Michelle Hogan pitched an inning and a third allowing three runs.

            Sandstrom got the Wildcats on the board in the second game as the senior from Omaha playing her final game at the Pete Chapman Softball Complex launched a solo home run to left field to give WSC a 1-0 lead. The Wildcats would not add another run until the bottom of the sixth as Radley hit a solo shot to centerfield to give the Wildcats a 2-0 lead and the win.

            Amber Baird and Goetzinger combined for the shutout. Baird started for WSC pitching three and a third innings for the Wildcats giving up three hits. Goetzinger (22-8) picked up the win for Wayne State pitching three and two thirds innings. Goetzinger allowed only one hit and struck out six.

            Sam Earleywine went 2 for 3 in the second game. Sandstrom and Radley each went 1 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored.  

            The Wildcats will close out the regular season on the road this weekend, visiting Concordia-St. Paul Saturday and St. Cloud State Sunday with both doubleheaders starting at noon each day.