Tiffin, Ohio -- The Wayne State University softball team (15-17 overall, 7-7 GLIAC) split a conference doubleheader Friday afternoon at Tiffin University (17-16 overall, 8-8 GLIAC).  The Warriors rallied in the opener for a 4-2 victory, while a valiant comeback in the nightcap fell short by one run in a 6-5 setback.

WSU took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second in game one as sophomore Julie Ingratta (Markham, Ont.) doubled to right center with two outs, and after freshman catcher Emily Bryce (Rochester Hills, Mich. / Rochester Adams) worked a 3-2 walk, senior shortstop Lauren Histed (Shelby Twp., Mich. / Utica) delivered an RBI single to right center.

The Dragons tallied twice in the fourth on a trio of hits.

Neither team was able to score in the fifth and sixth innings.

TU hurler Abbey Cooksey (10-7) retired the first two batters in the seventh.  Sophomore left fielder Logan White (Brantford, Ont. / Johnson C.V.I.) had an infield single and senior third baseman Alison Allen (Redford, Mich. / Farmington Hills Mercy) followed with a single to right center putting runners on the corners.  Senior first baseman Rebecca Ryan (Westland, Mich. / Dearborn Divine Child) reached on a third strike passed ball with White scoring the tying run on the play.  On the very next pitch, junior right fielder Stephanie Foreman (Cambridge, Ont. / Preston) laced a two-run double to center field.

WSU senior pitcher Sam Cain (Taylor, Mich. / Kennedy) recorded a 1-2-3 seventh inning for her fifth consecutive win.  She struck out three and did not walk a batter.

Ingratta led the Warrior hitters by going 2-for-2 with a walk.

Game two was a very different story as WSU starter Emily Wickerham (North Branch, Mich.) did not make it through the third inning.

The Dragons scored twice in the second on three hits, then added another run in the third on a couple of hits sandwiched around a stolen base.

Wayne State pulled within a run by scoring twice in the bottom of the third.  White had a one-out single and scored as Allen's single was misplayed.  After a walk to Ryan, Ingratta delivered an RBI single on an 0-2 offering.

Tiffin responded with three runs on three hits  in the fourth off WSU reliever Briana Lee (Canton, Mich. / Salem). 

The top of the Warriors lineup produced another run in the fifth as White had a one-out single and Allen was walked on four consecutive pitches.  Both runners advanced a base on Ryan's sacrifice bunt with White scoring as Ingratta reached on an error making it a 6-3 contest.

Wayne State scored twice in the bottom of the seventh as the top of the order was again leading the charge.  White was hit by a pitch leading off the inning and Allen followed with a single.  After a pop out, Foreman doubled in White with Allen then scoring on a wild pitch.  With Foreman at third and one out, the next two batters were retired as WSU was unable to score the equalizer.

Wickerham allowed three earned runs on five hits in 2.1 innings, while Lee surrendered three earned runs on three hits in 4.2 innings.

Amber Young (7-9) notched the win limiting WSU to two runs (one earned) on four hits in four innings.  Cooksey recorded the save despite allowing three runs (two earned) on three hits in her three innings of work.

White and Allen combined for all five WSU runs and four of the squad's seven hits.

The teams will conclude the four-game weekend series with a doubleheader on Saturday at Tiffin.