Wayne State University’s softball team managed to stay alive in the GLIAC Tournament with a crucial extra-inning victory. The Warriors, with a 24-31 overall record, rebounded from an 8-0 loss to Parkside in their opening game, to claim a tense 4-3 win against Roosevelt University, which holds a 17-31 overall record. The nail-biting finish came as WSU scored in walk-off fashion in the bottom of the eighth inning.
In the first game of the tournament, held at The Stadium at the Parkway Bank Sports Complex in Rosemont, Illinois, Parkside quickly took control with a seven-run first inning. “UWP was aided by six walks, a single and a double in the first eight batters to grab a 5-0 advantage,” the report detailed. Rain delays interrupted the game multiple times, impacting both teams’ momentum.
On the mound, Junior Hayden Batton and Grace Fisher pitched for Wayne State, with Batton allowing seven earned runs against eight batters. Grace Fisher conceded just one run across 18 batters and struck out three, earning praise for limiting the damage. Ellie Curtis of Parkside completed a five-inning shutout of the Warriors, giving up only four hits.
Game two saw the Warriors face off against Roosevelt University. Wayne State managed to come from behind twice during the contest. After falling behind in the fifth inning, the Warriors rallied in the sixth as Rylie Josephson hit a double, followed swiftly by Logan Forman’s double to tie the game 2-2. They took a short-lived 3-2 lead in the sixth before Roosevelt tied the game in the top of the seventh.
“Maddie Hool singled to left on the first pitch of the bottom of the eighth,” leading to a dramatic finish in the extra inning. Elly Koopman delivered a flyout, which ultimately resulted in the game-winning run following a fielding error.
Going into Saturday, Wayne State will remain off the field Friday as they await the outcome of the matches between other top-seeded teams. Games include Saginaw Valley State against Parkside, and Grand Valley State taking on Ferris State. Wayne State is scheduled to play the winner of the elimination game on Saturday afternoon.
