Game 1 - Wayne State 7 Minnesota, Crookston 0

Game 2 - Wayne State 5 Minnesota, Crookston 4

            The Wayne State College softball team extended their home field win streak to 24 consecutive games dating back to last season (16-0 this season) with a 7-0 and 5-4 sweep over a stubborn Minnesota, Crookston Golden Eagle squad Saturday afternoon on Senior Day at the Pete Chapman Softball Complex.  The Wildcats are now 29-12 on the season and 17-3 in the NSIC with the two wins while UMC is 7-21 overall and 1-13 in league play.

            In the opener, senior Katie Goetzinger pitched a three hit shutout with 13 strikeouts to lead the Wildcats in a 7-0 win over Minnesota, Crookston.  The 'Cats opened the scoring in the third inning when Dani Sandel doubled and scored on a Blaire Kuhl sacrifice fly for a 1-0 lead.  WSC added two runs in the fifth inning on just one hit and one UMC error while taking advantage of one walk and two hit batters.  The lone hit in the inning was an infield single by Sandel. 

            The Wildcats put the game away in the sixth inning with four runs.  Sam Earleywine's two run single was the big hit in the inning along with an RBI double from Jennifer Radley. 

            WSC had seven hits in the game to just three for the Golden Eagles.  Sandel was 2 for 3 with two runs scored to lead the Wildcats at the plate while Radley doubled.  Goetzinger improved to 21-6 on the season with the win, her ninth shutout of the season.  She finished with 13 strikeouts and no walks while allowing just three hits.

            The second game saw Radley go 2 for 2 with a homer and double as WSC scored in the bottom of the fifth to snap a 4-4 tie as the Wildcats posted a 5-4 win over the Golden Eagles to complete the sweep.  WSC scored three runs in the second inning to take the early lead as Radley homered to lead off the inning while Kassie Nurton added an RBI single.  UMC responded with three runs in the third inning to chase Wildcat starter Jordan Harris.  A two-run homer by Kelli Burns and a run-scoring single from Steph Thomas put the Golden Eagles back in the game.  Goetzinger came on in relief with one out in the third and got UMC's Sarena Diederichs to hit into a double play to get out of the inning.

            WSC regained the lead in the bottom of the third at 4-3 as Sandel singled and later scored on a Kuhl sacrifice fly to left field.  But UMC came back to tie the score in the top of the fourth on a Rachel Schoenborn solo homer to even the score at 4-4.  The Wildcats scored the eventual game-winning run in the fifth inning as Sandel doubled and scored on a Radley double down the left field line to make the score 5-4.  Goetzinger then held the Golden Eagles in check the rest of the way as WSC fought off Minnesota, Crookston for the 5-4 win.

            The Wildcats had one more hit than UMC 7-6.  Radley finished 2 for 2 with a homer, double and two RBI's while Sandel was 2 for 3 with two runs scored.  Kuhl finished 2 for 2 while Nurton had the other WSC hit.  Goetzinger (22-6) picked up the win in relief of Harris, working the final 4 2/3 innings.  She allowed one run on one hit with four strikeouts.  Harris pitched the first 2 1/3 innings and was charged with five hits and three runs while recording one strikeout.  

            Wayne State hits the road for a pair of Northern Sun Conference doubleheaders next week, visiting #6 Winona State Wednesday and Upper Iowa Thursday starting at 1:00 p.m. each day.