Game 1 - Wayne State 12 MSU Moorhead 1
Game 2 - Wayne State 10 MSU Moorhead 2
Senior second baseman Blaire Kuhl went 6 for 6 with four RBI's and four runs scored to power the Wayne State College softball team in a 12-1 and 10-2 sweep over MSU Moorhead in a pair of five inning Northern Sun Conference contests played Friday afternoon at the Pete Chapman Softball Complex in Wayne. WSC, a perfect 14-0 at home so far this season, improved to 27-12 overall and 15-3 in the NSIC while MSU Moorhead drops to 11-17 and 3-12 in the Northern Sun Conference.
In the first game, the Wildcats erupted for four runs in the bottom of the second inning. The inning was highlighted by a grand slam off the bat of Aeriell Earleywine as Wayne State took a 4-0 advantage. WSC added three more runs in the bottom of the third inning on four hits in the inning. Sam Earleywine led off the inning with a solo homer to center field to make it 5-0. Goetzinger added a sacrifice fly and Brittany Greenwood added an RBI double to put the 'Cats up 7-0 after three frames.
The Wildcats added five runs in the fifth inning to make the score 12-0. The inning was highlighted by a two run single by Blaire Kuhl while Greenwood added another RBI double in the inning. The Dragons scored their lone run of the game in the top of the fifth inning on a solo home run, but that's all MSUM would get as the Wildcats downed the Dragons 12-1 in five innings.
Katie Goetzinger picked up her 19th win of the season as the senior from Harlan, Iowa allowed only one hit with eight strikeouts in four innings of work. Freshman Natalie Hauschild threw the final inning for Wayne State allowing one run on two hits.
Wayne State had 12 hits in the first game compared to only three for MSU Moorhead. The 'Cats offense was paced by Kuhl who was 3 for 3 on the day with three runs scored and two RBI's. Sam Earleywine was 2 for 2 on the day with two runs socred while Aeriell Earleywine was 1 for 2 with a home run and four RBI's to go along with two runs scored. Greenwood was 2 for 2 with a pair of RBI doubles.
The second game saw Jennifer Radley homer twice and Blaire Kuhl capped a perfect day by going 3 for 3 in the second straight game as the Wildcats cruised to a 10-2 win over the Dragons. WSC opened the scoring in the first inning on a two-run homer from Radley for a 2-0 lead. MSU Moorhead countered with a two-run homer in the top of the second by Amanda Moore to even the score at 2-2. But WSC came right back in the third inning with four runs to grab a 6-2 lead. Radley produced another two-run homer while Brittany Greenwood had a two run single to fuel the inning.
WSC added two runs in the fourth for a 8-2 lead on a Kuhl two-run single to center field and the Wildcats then finished the game in the fifth inning with two more runs on a Dani Sandel RBI double and a Sam Earleywine RBI single to make the final score 10-2.
The Wildcats finished with 14 hits in the game to five for the Dragons. Kuhl and Sam Earleywine were each 3 for 3 in the second game with Earleywine scoring three runs. Radley was 2 for 2 with two homers and four RBI's while Dukich also had two hits for the Wildcats.
Goetzinger (20-6) worked four innings to pick up the win, allowing two runs on three hits with three strikeouts and one walk. Freshman Jordan Harris pitched the final inning, charged with two hits.
Wayne State will be at home again Saturday afternoon hosting Minnesota, Crookston on Senior Day at the Pete Chapman Softball Complex starting at 12:00 p.m.
