Tiffin, Ohio -- The Wayne State University softball squad (16-18 overall, 8-8 GLIAC) split a conference doubleheader on Saturday at Tiffin University (18-17 overall, 9-9 GLIAC).  The host Dragons won the opener 7-4, but the Warriors rallied for five runs in the bottom of the seventh to win the nightcap 15-14.

In the opener, TU scored twice in the bottom of the first before senior shortstop Lauren Histed (Shelby Twp., Mich. / Utica) had a two-out RBI single in the second plating junior outfielder Stephanie Foreman (Cambridge, Ont. / Preston), who had led off the frame with a single.

Tiffin responded with three runs in the bottom of the second on four hits including two triples.  The Dragons increased their lead to 7-1 with single runs in the fourth and sixth.

In the top of the seventh, sophomore second baseman Nikki Fulton (Stratford, Ont. / St. Michael Catholic S.S.) and sophomore left fielder Logan White (Brantford, Ont. / Johnson C.V.I.) had back-to-back singles prior to senior third baseman Alison Allen (Redford, Mich. / Farmington Hills Mercy) smacking a three-run home run to left center.

WSU senior Sam Cain (Taylor, Mich. / Kennedy) pitched the first four innings surrendering six runs (four earned) on eight hits to have her five-game winning streak snapped.  Junior Emily Wickerham (North Branch, Mich.) tossed the final two innings allowing an unearned run.

Fulton and Allen each had two hits in the contest to combine for four of WSU's eight hits.

Abbey Cooksey went the distance for the Dragons striking out five and allowing four earned runs.

Game two was scoreless through two innings but Tiffin erupted for nine runs on six hits in the top of the third which was capped off by a three-run home run to left center by Chelsea Von Driska.

Wayne State answered with seven runs in the bottom of the inning.  Histed had a one-out single, advanced to second on a walk to Fulton and went to third on a single by White.  Allen followed with a two-run double and senior first baseman Rebecca Ryan (Westland, Mich. / Dearborn Divine Child) worked a 3-2 walk to load the bases.  Sophomore catcher Julie Ingratta (Markham, Ont.) contributed an RBI single and Foreman delivered a two-run single.  Freshman Shelby Spano (Sterling Heights, Mich. / Stevenson) drove in Ingratta with a sacrifice fly while Histed knocked in a run with her second hit of the inning.

TU increased its lead to 12-7 with a three-run fourth inning, and went ahead 14-7 with two more runs in the top of the sixth.

The Warriors cut the deficit to 14-10 with three runs in the sixth.  Fulton walked on four pitches and White reached on an error.  A ground out advanced both runners, and a walk to Ryan loaded the bases.  Fulton scored on Ingratta's ground out, while both White and Ryan scored on an error.

Tiffin went 1-2-3 in the top of the seventh off Cain, her second 1-2-3 frame in the last three innings after replacing starter Briana Lee (Canton, Mich. / Salem) in the top of the fourth.

Spano reached on an error to start the seventh and Histed followed with a single.  After a strikeout, White laced a two-run double to right making it 14-12.  Allen singled to right plating White and on the very first pitch Ryan delivered a two-run walk-off home run completing the eight-run comeback.

Cain notched the victory despite allowing five runs (four earned) in four innings with three strikeouts.  Lee gave up nine runs (five earned) on six hits in three innings.

Amber Young started in the circle for the Dragons and allowed five earned runs on three hits and three walks in 2.1 innings.  Cooksey pitched the final four innings giving up 10 runs (six earned) on 10 hits and two walks.

Ryan went 2-for-2 with two RBI and three walks as she reached base in all five plate appearances.  Histed went 3-for-4, while White, Allen and Foreman each had two hits as the Warriors recorded 13 hits in the contest.

Wayne State returns home for a Tuesday twinbill against Ashland starting at 3:30 p.m.