Wayne State softball held off a seventh inning rally by Fort Hays State to edge the Tigers 9-8 Sunday evening at the Washburn Softball Tournament in Topeka, Kansas.  The Wildcats move to 5-1 on the season with the win while the Tigers drop to 4-4 with the loss.
            The 'Cats struck for three runs in the bottom of the first inning to take the early lead.  Jordyn Klein singled and scored on a Jordyn Rochholz single down the left field line for the first run.  Freshman Leah Chance later added a two-run double to left field, scoring Kennadi Borngrebe (single) and Rochholz for a 3-0 WSC lead.
            After Fort Hays State scored once in the top of the second, Wayne State added two runs in the bottom of the second for a 5-1 advantage.  Klein reached on a fielder's choice and scored on a Taylor Coleman RBI triple with Coleman later scoring on Emilee Marth's RBI single up the middle.
            WSC scored another run in the third for a 6-1 lead thanks to Mary Krystofiak's double that brought home Chance, who doubled to left center.
            The Tigers cut into the WSC lead in the fourth inning, scoring three times to make the score 6-4. 
            Two runs for the Wildcats in the bottom of the fifth put the 'Cats in front 8-4.  Klein delivered an RBI single to left field scoring Chance, who singled to open the inning.  Coleman later added an RBI single up the middle scoring Lauren Laudick, who walked, for an 8-4 WSC lead.
            The 'Cats scored another run in the sixth when Rochholz reached on a fielder's choice and scored on a bases loaded walk to Krystofiak putting the 'Cats ahead 9-4. 
            Fort Hays State rallied in the seventh inning with a two-out rally putting six straight batters on base with three straight hits, a hit batter and two walks until the 'Cats finally escaped with a pop out to shortstop to end the game with the game-tying run on third base. 
            The Tigers scored four runs in the inning on three hits, but reliever Samanatha Felt came on to get the final out on a pop up to shortstop to end the game giving Wayne State the 9-8 win.
            Wayne State finished the game with 16 hits, led by freshman Leah Chance going 4 for 4 with a pair of doubles and two RBI.  Borngrebe finished 3 for 4 with a run scored.  Taylor Coleman was 2 for 4 with a triple and two RBI.  Jordyn Klein ended 2 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored while Emilee Marth finished 2 for 4.
            Grace Lucka started the game in the circle for WSC, working 3 2/3 innings and giving up four runs (three earned) on six hits with six strikeouts.  Borngrebe came on in relief and picked up the win, now 3-0 on the season.  She worked three innings and was charged with four runs on three hits with five strikeouts.  Felt came on in the seventh inning and recorded the final out on a pop up for the save. 
            The Wildcats play two more games Monday at the Washburn Tournament in Topeka, facing #13 Central Oklahoma at 9:30 a.m. and Central Missouri at 3:30 p.m.