The Wayne State University softball team started its 2026 season with two wins at the Lincoln Memorial Invitational in Harrogate, Tennessee. The Warriors defeated host Lincoln Memorial University 7-0 and then won against Bluefield State 10-6.
In the first game, Wayne State scored twice in the opening inning with hits from Hunter Near, Brooke Bunch, and Elly Koopman. Sydney Long added a sacrifice fly for another run. Long also pitched a complete game shutout, allowing only three hits and striking out five batters.
The Warriors extended their lead in the second inning by scoring five runs. Key plays included a triple by Bunch and RBI singles from Koopman and Long. Molly Hool finished the scoring with a sacrifice fly.
Koopman led Wayne State offensively, going 3-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored. Both Near and Bunch had two hits each.
In the second game against Bluefield State, Wayne State overcame an early deficit after Bluefield scored three runs in the first inning. The Warriors responded with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning and took control with a three-run second inning that included Near’s first home run of the season.
Wayne State added five more runs in the third inning, highlighted by Koopman’s three-run double. The final score was 10-6 after Bluefield State managed to add two late runs.
Koopman pitched all seven innings for Wayne State in this game as well, giving up six runs (four earned) on ten hits while striking out six.
Near contributed three hits, three RBIs, and scored three times. Koopman reached base four times with two hits and two walks while driving in three runs. Ella Vinco added two RBIs for Wayne State.
After these games, Wayne State holds a 2-0 record to start its season at the NCAA Division II level as part of its collegiate athletic program based in Detroit, Michigan (official website). The team is affiliated with both NCAA Division II events and is a member of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (official website).
Wayne State will continue play at the LMU Invitational on Sunday against Tiffin at 10 AM followed by another matchup against Lincoln Memorial at noon.
