Wayne State scored six runs in the first inning, then held off a College of Staten Island rally that saw the Dolphins load the bases in the bottom of the seventh inning as the Wildcats posted a 7-6 victory Tuesday morning to open the National Training Center Spring Softball Games Tournament in Auburndale, Florida.  WSC is now 2-15 with the win while the College of Staten Island is 4-3.
            The Wildcats erupted in the first inning for six runs on nine hits while sending 11 batters to plate to get off to a quick start.  Haylee Weber started the scoring with an RBI single that scored Jordyn Klein for the first Wildcat run.  Emilee Marth followed with a single up the middle that brought home Jordyn Rochholz (doubled) for a 2-0 WSC advantage.
            Pender freshman Lillie Timm belted an RBI single to left center field scoring Weber and Lauren Laudick's RBI single to right field drove home Timm for a 5-0 lead.  Klein's second hit of the inning – a ground rule double – scored Morgan Beaty with the sixth run of the inning.
            College of Staten Island started their comeback with four runs in the third inning and connected for a two-run homer in the fourth to tie the score at 6-6.
            Wayne State regained the lead in the top of the fifth inning with one run but left the bases loaded.  Timm opened the inning with a single to left center field.  Pinch runner Abby Husing later scored on Beaty's single up the middle putting the 'Cats in front 7-6.
            The score stayed 7-6 until the bottom of the seventh as the Dolphins threatened to tie or even win the game.  College of Staten Island used a walk and single to put runners on second and third base with two outs.  On a 3-2 pitch, Wildcat reliever Grace Lucka got the Dolphins to hit a pop up to second base to end the inning as Wayne State held on for the 7-6 victory.
            Wayne State had 12 hits in the game as eight of nine starters had at least one hit and four Wildcats had multi-hit games.  Klein was 2 for 4 with a double, single, RBI and runs scored.  Timm and Beaty each went 2 for 4 at the plate with an RBI and run scored while Laudick finished 2 for 3 with a pair of singles and run scored.  Rochholz had the other Wildcat extra base hit, a double.
            Senior Callie Carraher started the game in the circle and worked 2 1/3 innings.  Sophomore Sophie Stuart pitched the next 2/3 innings with junior Grace Lucka firing the final four innings of relief to get the win, allowing two runs on three hits with four strikeouts and two walks.
            Wayne State was slated to face Glenville State of West Virginia Tuesday afternoon at the NTC Spring Games in Auburndale, Florida.