Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box
ABERDEEN, S.D. – The Wayne State College Wildcats used a 16-strikeout performance from ace hurler Katie Goetzinger and an eight-hit, 10-run team performance in the nightcap to claim a Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference doubleheader sweep over the host Northern State University Wolves Sunday afternoon at Moccasin Creek Park. WSC claimed a 4-1 victory in the opener and finished off the day with a 10-0 win in six innings.
The losses dropped NSU to 6-26 overall and 2-14 in league play, while the Wildcats – who were receiving votes in the latest NFCA Top 25 poll – moved to 27-7 on the season and 12-2 in the loop.
Goetzinger, who recorded eight strikeouts in the first three innings alone, yielded a fourth-inning home run to NSU sophomore Whitney Luhring, who had two of the Wolves' three hits in the game. Luhring hammered a 1-2 pitch well beyond the left field fence for her fourth home run of the season and cutting the Wildcat lead to just 2-1.
That would not be enough to back up a solid performance from NSU starter Kelli Bornander, who gave up four runs – three earned – on nine hits and three walks while striking out three in a complete game outing. Bornander pitched her way out of several jams with runners in scoring position in the process.
The Wildcats tallied their first run in the second inning, picking up an unearned run to break the scoreless tie. After a Northern State fielding error loaded the bases with one out, Bornander rang up WSC's Brittany Greenwood for a much-needed second out. Looking to get out of the inning unscathed, Bornander allowed an RBI single to Kassie Nurton. On that hit, WSC's Jennifer Radley tried to score from second, but was gunned down at the plate by left fielder Ally Teclaw to end the inning.
WSC added a second run in the top of the fourth inning before Luhring cut into that lead with her solo shot. The Wildcats, however, tacked on a pair of insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning using four hits – including a solo home run from leadoff hitter Amy sandstorm – to make any comeback efforts more difficult for the Wolves.
Game 2 belonged almost entirely to the Wildcats, as starter Amber Baird scattered three hits across five innings of work to pick up the win. The junior right-hander got plenty of run support from the Wildcat line-up, as six of the ten batters to see a plate appearance picked up at least one hit.
NSU's Kelley Suggs, who had one of the Wolves' three hits in that game, absorbed the loss on the mound, allowing five runs – four earned – in four innings of work.
The games mark the end of a six-game home stand for the Wolves, who now take to the road for a six-game stretch. NSU is next in action on Wednesday for a conference twin bill at the University of Mary. Game time is set for noon.
