ROSEMONT, Ill. -- The Wayne State University softball squad (1-1 overall) began its 2016 campaign with a split on the opening day of the 2016 Lewis Invitational being held at the Ballpark at the Dome.  The Warriors blanked Illinois-Springfield (3-7 overall) 5-0 in the opener, but fell 3-1 to Missouri S & T (1-9 overall) in game two.

GAME ONE RECAP

WSU tallied two runs in the top of the first against the Prairie Stars as junior Lyndsay Butler (Cambridge, Ont. / Centennial C.V.I.) laced a 1-2 offering into center field for a single and advanced to second on a bunt single by classmate Allie Buchanan (Cambridge, Ont. / Galt C.I.).  Following a fielder's choice, both Buchanan and senior Jade McGarr (Guelph, Ont. / St. James Catholic) moved up one base on a passed ball.  An RBI groundout by senior Shelby Spano (Sterling Heights, Mich. / Stevenson) plated the first run and freshman Hannah McClounie (Essex, Ont. / St. Anne Catholic) delivered an RBI single to center field.

The Warriors doubled their lead the next frame as sophomore Kylee Barrett (Croswell, Mich. / Croswell-Lexington) had a one-out single, advanced to second on a ground out and scored on a single by sophomore Hailey Lazarek (Allen Park, Mich.) on a 1-2 pitch.  Lazarek advanced to second on the throw and scored as Butler doubled down the right field line.

Wayne State completed the scoring with a single run in the third.  McGarr ripped the first pitch of the inning down the right field line for a single.  Spano followed with a bunt single with McGarr advancing to third on a throwing error.  McClounie's bunt single scored McGarr.

Butler retired the first nine UIS batters until back-to-back walks leading off the bottom of the fourth but two strikeouts sandwiched around a fielder's choice ended that threat.

The Prairie Stars had two runners on in the fifth on a walk and a single but a ground out ended the frame.  The next inning a leadoff single and stolen base by Amanda Gosbeth preceded a fly out and a single, but Gosbeth was out at home on a throw by right fielder Shannon Hilton (Gilford, Ont. / Bradford) to preserve the shutout.

IN THE CIRCLE

Butler (1-0) allowed just three hits, while striking out nine and walking three.  She induced 10 groundouts in recording her 26th career shutout.

Jaycee Craver started for UIS and allowed five earned runs on nine hits in three innings of work.  She struck out one and did not walk a batter.  Alexandria Smith hurled the final four innings limiting the Warriors to one hit.

LEADING THE WARRIORS

Butler, McClounie and Lazarek each had two hits as WSU recorded 10 hits in the contest with McClounie driving in two in her collegiate debut.

LEADING THE OPPOSITION

Gosbeth was the lone Prairie Star to reach base twice - once on a single and once via a walk.

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GAME TWO RECAP

The Miners scored twice in the top of the first off Warrior senior Mackenzie Boehler (Saginaw, Mich. / Swan Valley).  A two-out single by Kyra Slemp preceded a two-run home run Kelly Heckemeyer on a 3-2 offering.

WSU had a chance to score in the bottom of the first as Butler and McGarr each singled around a sacrifice bunt, but the next two Warrior batters grounded out to third.

S&T's Andi Davis led off the top of the third with a triple to right center and scored on a groundout by Hannah Franceschini.

Butler doubled leading off the third, moved to third on a groundout.  With two outs, Spano singled up the middle plating Butler to make it 3-1 Miners.

After a one-out double in the fourth, sophomore Haley Hurd (Atwater, Ohio / Waterloo) replaced Boehler in the circle and retired the next two batters.  Hurd allowed two base runners in the fifth but recorded three groundouts to keep the deficit at two.

In the bottom of the seventh, sophomore Shelby Fridline (Almont, Mich. / SC4) walked after fouling off a 3-2 pitch.  Lazarek followed with a six-pitch walk, but a strikeout, a groundout and a pop out ended the contest.

IN THE CIRCLE

Boehler (0-1) allowed three earned runs on five hits in 3.1 innings with four strikeouts and two walks.  Hurd held the Miners scoreless on two hits in her 3.2 innings of work.  Hurd struck out one and walked two.

Courtney Jackson (1-3) began the contest for S&T and tossed six-plus innings of one-run ball.  She allowed five hits and struck out one, while walking three.  Ashley Hill faced three batters in the seventh to record her first save of the year.

LEADING THE WARRIORS

Butler had two of WSU's five hits and scored the lone Wayne State run.

LEADING THE OPPOSITION

Davis and Heckemeyer each had two hits for the Miners

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UP NEXT

Wayne State will play Lindenwood (11 am) and tournament host Lewis (1:30 pm) on Saturday and conclude the weekend competition with an 11 am contest on Sunday vs. Wisconsin-Parkside (all times are Central).