WAYNE, Neb. – The Wayne State Wildcats (8-27 overall, 5-9 NSIC) would score three fifth inning runs and a run in both the sixth and seventh innings to walk-off Southwest Minnesota State University (15-22, 7-7) 5-4 in game one before winning 10-1 in five innings in game two of a doubleheader at the Pete Chapman Softball Complex.
The Mustangs and Wildcats would each pick up eight hits, but three Mustang errors would prove costly in the game one defeat.
Molly Bull would go 3 for 3 in the first game with a pair of doubles, while
Paige Shwaluk would go 2 for 3 with a double and triple.
The Mustangs would open the scoring in the third when Shwaluk sent an RBI triple to the left field corner, scoring
Abby Russell and giving SMSU a 1-0 lead.
Bailey Johnson would follow it up with an RBI double past a diving centerfielder to score Shwaluk and double the lead before Bull would send a single through the right side with two-outs, scoring Johnson and putting the Mustangs ahead 3-0.
WSC would strike back in the bottom of the fifth inning with three runs, including a two-run home run to tie the score at 3-3.
The Mustangs would reclaim the lead in the top of the sixth, as
Patia Wolfe would smack a single to centerfield with two outs, scoring Bull to go up 4-3, but WSC would score on a dropped pop fly with two outs to even the score back up at 4-4 into the seventh.
WSC would win the game in the seventh, sending a two-out, 0-2 single to left center to drive in the winning run.
Shelby Bloemendaal would not factor into the decision, starting the game and going five innings, giving up three runs (all earned) on five hits and a walk while striking out three.
Morgyn Otte (0-5) would get the loss in relief, giving up two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk while striking one out.
The Mustangs would provide an early threat in game two, loading the bases with nobody out, but would score just one run on three consecutive fielders choices to the shortstop that would result in outs at third base.
WSC would respond with five runs in the first two innings to take a 5-1 lead, and then five more in the fourth inning to grow the lead to 10-1.
Karlie Miller (6-10) would go three innings, allowing seven runs (six earned) on four hits and a pair of walks with four strikeouts in the circle.
SMSU travels north for a doubleheader with UMary in the Minot Dome starting at 4 p.m. on Friday afternoon.
