Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
The Detroit Titans softball team battled but came up short in a doubleheader to Motor City rival Wayne State in a battle for Motown bragging rights Thursday afternoon at WSU Softball Field.
The first game was broadcast locally Comcast channel 900 which saw Detroit (7-30) mount a late rally but could not get over the hump losing by one run, 4-3. In the night cap, UDM could not hold on to a late 1-0 lead as the Warriors (26-10) tied the game in the bottom if the seventh and went on to win, 2-1, in extra innings.
Detroit entered game one against a formable opposing pitcher as WSU redshirt junior Casey Haney was 19-4 on the season with a 0.53 ERA. The Titans were up to the challenge recorded three runs on three hits but missed early opportunities leaving five runners scoring position totaling nine left on base for the game.
Sophomore Ellen Sinclair (Chatham, ON/Chatham-Kent) paced the Titans going 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run while junior Courtney Gill (Surrey, B.C./Earl Marriott) went 2-for-4.
UDM got an early chance in the first inning to get to Hanes as junior Erica Houthoofd (Unionville, MI/Unionville Sebewaing Area) singled up the middle and then stole second base to move into scoring position. Hanes regrouped and retired the last two batters to in the threat.
Wayne State took a 2-0 lead in the second inning as Sarah Teller doubled down the right field line followed by a dropped fly ball which allowed Stephanie LeClair to get aboard. Both runs where then plated off RBI singles by Becca Ryan and Jaci Banton.
With two outs in the third inning, senior Jacqueline Nortman (Groves, TX/Monsignor. Kelly Catholic) drew a walk, stole second and moved to third but could not be brought home as the last batter struck out. WSU added another run in the bottom half on a RBI double by LeClair.
The Titans threatened once again in the fourth as Sinclair walked and moved to third on consecutive ground outs but was left stranded as Hanes forced another ground out to end the inning.
After trailing 4-0 off a home run by Amanda Van'tWout in the fifth inning, Detroit finally broke through with a run in sixth as Sinclair scored off a throwing error by the WSU first baseman to pull within three runs at 4-1.
UDM's rally continued as Sinclair singled to right field to score Nortman and freshman Krissy Pitock (Carleton, MI/Carleton-Airport) cutting the lead to one, 4-3. Gill then singled up the middle followed by Sclater reached on fielder's choice but hit the ball down to the WSU third baseman who tagged the bag getting Sinclair out at third. Liebner then hit a blooper which almost dropped in but was caught by the shortstop to end the game.
After pitching the final two innings of game one, freshman Kara Spinelli (Newman, CA/Orestimba) posted a solid outing in the losing effort in the second game going 7.1 innings holding WSU scoreless until the bottom of the seventh inning.
Detroit took a 1-0 lead sixth inning on a RBI double by Gill to score Houthoofd.
Wayne State tied the game at 1-1 as Banton hit the ball to left side where Sinclair made a diving stop but could not throw her out at first allowing the run to score.
The Warriors then won the game in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI double by Rebecca Stanley.
Detroit resumes conference play with a doubleheader against Wright State on Senior Day Saturday, April 18 at 1 p.m. The Titans will honor its only senior, Nortman, for her hard work and dedication to the program.
