Decatur, Ala. -- The 20th-ranked Wayne State University softball squad (3-1 overall) suffered its first loss of the young season with a 1-0 setback against North Alabama (5-4) Saturday afternoon at the Decatur Chillout.

The top of the first started promising for the Warriors as sophomore outfielder Alison Allen (Redford, Mich. / Farmington Hills Mercy) singled, stole second and advanced to third on Jaci Banton's (Richmond Hill, Ont. / Cardinal Carter) sacrifice bunt.  Unfortunately the next two batters were able to drive in Allen.

Sophomore infielder Becca Ryan (Westland, Mich. / Dearborn Divine Child) had a leadoff single in the second but a fielder's choice and double play ended that scoring threat. 

The Lions would get the only run they would need in the bottom of the fourth as Andrea Palmer doubled to left center with one out and would score on a two-out single up the middle by Kathryn Young.

Eight straight Warrior hitters were retired following Ryan's single, until Ryan led off the fifth with a single.  A sacrifice bunt by Stephanie LeClair (Kitchener, Ont. / Forest Heights C.I.) advanced Ryan to second, but the next two batters were retired.

In the top of the sixth, pinch-hitter Makelle Barski (Trenton, Mich.) had a bunt single.  Following a fielder's choice, Banton had an infield single and redshirt freshman Brittany Omelanchuk (Brooklin, Ont. / Wilson S.S.) walked to load the bases with two outs, but a fielder's choice ended the inning.

Sophomore Sam Cain (Taylor, Mich. / Kennedy) started in the circle for WSU and allowed three hits in four innings and an earned run.  She struck out two and walked two.  Senior Casey Hanes (Richmond, Va. / Douglas Freeman) came on in the fifth and pitched the final two innings retiring all six batters she faced.

Laurin Watts improved 2-2 by stranding six Warrior base runners.  She struck out five and walked one.

Wayne State will play two of the top five ranked teams in the nation on Sunday.  The Warriors will face No. 2 North Georgia at 10 am Eastern followed by a noon contest against fifth-ranked Indianapolis.