Northwest Wayne News

Wayne State University's softball team finished the first half of its league play with a split against Purdue Northwest on Sunday. The matches took place at Gary L. Bryce Field. Wayne State, now standing 18-19 overall and 7-7 in the GLIAC, pulled out a win in the first game by scoring twice in the bottom of the seventh to defeat Purdue Northwest 3-2. However, Purdue Northwest came back in the second game to snatch a 4-3 victory.

In the first game, Purdue Northwest took an early lead with runs in the fourth inning from Giuliana Girodano and a triple by Kylie Madura. Wayne State responded in the bottom of the fifth with a run, keeping it close until their final inning rally. "O'Donnell drew a five-pitch walk to start the frame and was safe at second on Molly Hool's sacrifice bunt. Maddie Hool advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt," leading to the game-tying and game-winning runs.

Junior Hayden Batton started in the circle for Wayne State, giving up two earned runs over five innings. Sophomore Sydney Long earned the win in relief, shutting out Purdue Northwest in the final two innings.

"Purdue’s Hailie Charmat (1-6) went the distance for PNW and allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits in 6.1 innings. She struck out three and walked three."

Wayne State's offense was led by Jessie O'Donnell and Hunter Near, while Purdue Northwest's Kylie Dugan excelled with a 3-for-4 performance.

In the day's second game, Wayne State captured an early lead with a home run by Logan Forman, her third of the weekend. Purdue Northwest equalized and eventually overcame Wayne State due to errors and timely hits, including an RBI by Grace Wilson. The winning pitcher, Rylan Gick, threw three innings of hitless relief.

Wayne State's Forman and Elly Koopman stood out by reaching base three times. For Purdue Northwest, Wilson had a standout performance with three hits.

Next, Wayne State will commence the second half of the conference schedule with a doubleheader at Saginaw Valley State on Wednesday.