Northwest Wayne News

Wayne State University's softball team is adjusting its schedule due to Michigan's unpredictable spring weather. The doubleheader against Tiffin, originally set for Wednesday, April 2, has been postponed to Tuesday, April 15, at 2 PM and 4 PM. The games against Grand Valley State (GVSU), part of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC), have been moved from Saturday, April 5, to Friday, April 4, at 2 PM and 4 PM. Additionally, the doubleheader versus Purdue Northwest is set for Sunday and will begin at 2 PM and 4 PM.

Wayne State holds a slight advantage in the historical contest against GVSU, with a record of 74-67-2, dating back to 1982. Recently, however, GVSU has consistently dominated, winning nine out of the last eleven encounters, though Wayne State did manage a sweep at Gary L Bryce Field last year. Against Purdue Northwest, Wayne State has trailed 9-16 overall, securing two victories in the last five years in Midtown Detroit.

The Warriors are currently performing well in the GLIAC rankings, leading in hits (265), batting average (.294), and sacrifice bunts (24). They rank second in fielding percentage (.960) and triples (13). Under the guidance of fourth-year head coach Nicole Tines, the squad holds a 16-17 overall record with a 5-5 standing in conference play. Among the players contributing to this success are freshman Kate DeWitt, who leads the team in slugging percentage, and Elly Koopman, who leads the team in RBIs. Sophomore Logan Forman, along with freshmen Morgan Williams and Molly Hool, is also performing notably.

In pitching, junior Grace Fisher has shown impressive progress, extending her personal winning streak to five games. With a current season record of 8-6, she's accumulated a 3.17 ERA and 59 strikeouts over 81.2 innings pitched.

GVSU currently stands at 15-17 overall and 6-4 in the GLIAC. Freshman Madelynn Pope leads the team with a .366 batting average. GVSU's pitching staff has primarily relied on Karli Dorr and Nevaeh Ingram.

Purdue Northwest, led by head coach Tristan Zink, holds a 7-22-1 record overall and 2-8 in the GLIAC. Junior Amanda DeBoer is carrying the team with the best batting average, while Olivia Hernandez leads in home runs and RBIs.

Next week, Wayne State is scheduled for three more GLIAC doubleheaders, starting with a trip to face Saginaw Valley State, followed by games against Roosevelt and Wisconsin Parkside at their home field, Gary L Bryce Field.