Game 1- WSC 5 MSU 0
Game 2- WSC 2 MSU 1
Wayne State notched an impressive road sweep at #8 Minnesota State in Northern Sun Conference softball Tuesday afternoon in Mankato, Minnesota as the Wildcats won by scores of 5-0 and 2-1. The Wildcats remain unbeaten in the NSIC at 6-0, improving to 18-9 overall, while Minnesota State, who entered the game as the top-ranked team in the Central Region, falls to 27-6 overall and 4-2 in league play.
The first game saw Wayne State break open a close game with four runs in the seventh inning while senior All-American Katie Goetzinger threw a two-hit shutout to power the Wildcats in a 5-0 win over the eighth-ranked Mavericks. WSC opened the scoring in the first inning with one run as Aeriell Earleywine led off the game with a double to centerfield. Kassie Nurton then put down a sacrifice bunt to second base and reached on a throwing error by Minnesota State allowing Earleywine to score for a 1-0 Wildcat lead.
The score remained 1-0 until the seventh inning when Wayne State plated four runs to put the game away. Pinch hitter Vicki Nielsen opened with a walk and went to third on a double by Aeriell Earleywine. Pinch hitter Slone Masters then walked to load the bases with one out. Senior catcher Sam Earleywine produced an RBI single to right center field scoring Nielsen for a 2-0 lead and then Jennifer Radley emptied the bases with a double to put the Wildcats up 5-0.
That's all the support Goetzinger would need as the Harlan, Iowa graduate held Minnesota State to just two hits while striking out six as Wayne State won the opener 5-0.
WSC had seven hits in the first game to just two for Minnesota State. Aeriell Earleywine finished 2 for 3 with a double and two runs scored while Dani Sandel was also 2 for 3. Jennifer Radley contributed a three-run double while Sam Earleywine and Rachel Dukich each singled to close out Wayne State's seven-hit attack.
The second game saw WSC score in the first inning again as senior catcher Sam Earleywine belted a two-out homer to centerfield to put the 'Cats in front 1-0. Minnesota State tied the score in the bottom of the second inning to chase Wildcat starter Jordan Harris as the Mavericks used one hit, two walks and a hit batter to even the score at 1-1. WSC senior Katie Goetzinger came on in relief with two outs and the bases loaded and got a popup to shortstop to end the inning.
WSC threatened to take the lead in the fifth inning loading the bases with two outs as Brittany Greenwood doubled, Aeriell Earleywine was hit by the pitch and Jennifer Radley walked. But Minnesota State pitcher Kendra Huettl struck out Dani Sandel to end the Wildcat scoring threat.
The Wildcats loaded the bases again in the top of the sixth inning and converted on this scoring opportunity as Blaire Kuhl led off the inning with a double and advanced to third on a Minnesota State throwing error. Sarah Gottschalk was hit by the pitch and Aeriell Earleywine was walked with two outs to load the bases. Pinch hitter Kristen Martinson then hit a fielder's choice to shortstop that scored Kuhl to put WSC ahead 2-1.
Freshman Jordan Harris started the game for WSC and worked 1 2/3 innings, allowing one run on two hits with three walks and one strikeout. Katie Goetzinger worked the rest of the game and picked up the win for Wayne State allowing no runs on three hits with three strikeouts.
Rachel Dukich led WSC at the plate in the second game going 2 for 4. Sam Earleywine was 1 for 4 with a solo homer while Blaire Kuhl and Brittany Greenwood each doubled. Jennifer Radley had the other hit in the game, a single.
Wayne State will be on the road again this weekend, visiting Minnesota Duluth Saturday and Bemidji State Sunday in Northern Sun Conference doubleheaders starting at noon each day.
