May 6, 2006

Stats

Midland, Mich. - The Wayne State University softball team (32-23) suffered a 5-3 setback in eight innings Saturday afternoon to Grand Valley State (33-19) in the first game of the GLIAC tournament championship round.

The Warriors had secured the GLIAC's automatic bid Friday which is based 50% on the conference regular-season standings and 50% on the GLIAC tournament finishes.

WSU grabbed an early 1-0 lead as senior shortstop Sue Verbeem (LaSalle, Ont./Sandwich S.S.) smacked a leadoff home run on an 0-2 pitch in the bottom of the first. Wayne State increased its lead to 2-0 in the bottom of the third as Verbeem drew a two-out walk. After a walk to junior Becky Quinn (Ortonville, Mich./Oakland Christian), Sarah Berry's (Acton, Ont.) fly ball to left field was dropped allowing Verbeem to score an unearned run.

GVSU tied the score with two runs in the top of the fourth on a one-out error, a single, a double and a wild pitch.

The Warriors regained the lead in the bottom of the fifth as sophomore second baseman Lisa Seymour (Davison, Mich.) had a leadoff walk. Following Verbeem's sacrifice bunt and a fly out, Berry singled to center field scoring Seymour.

The Lakers tied the game in the top of the sixth on a double, a ground out and a fielder's choice.

Neither team was able to score in the seventh despite both squad leaving two runners on base.

In the top of the eighth, back-to-back singles and a walk loaded the bases, but the next two GVSU batters were retired on an infield fly pop out and a force out at home plate on a fielder's choice. Lisa Preuss then stroked a two-run single to center for the margin of victory.

WSU senior pitcher Meghan Misiak (Livonia, Mich./Churchill) went the distance in the circle striking out six and walking two while allowing five runs (four earned) on 11 hits.

Verbeem had two of WSU's four hits and scored two of the Warriors' three runs.

Wayne State will now face Grand Valley in the GLIAC tournament final game later today.