CLERMONT, Fla.— Over spring break the Wayne State College softball team traveled to the National Training Center.

The ‘Cats opened their annual spring break trip with a loss Sunday afternoon to 15th-ranked California (Pa.) who rallied up a devastating 6-5 win in the bottom of the seventh with a grand slam.

Cassy Miller (1-5) suffered the loss in the circle, allowing six runs (five earned) on six hits with four walks and three strikeouts.

The Wildcats dropped their second game of the day in the last inning, this time falling to Mount Olive (N.C.) 4-3.

Both teams had 10 hits in the game.

Caitlin Fehringer led WSC going 3 for 3 with a double and two RBIs. Katelyn Wobken and Lexie Loos were each 2 for 3 at the plate with a double. Emily Chandler, Morgan Hoeg and Monique Alyea also had hits for the Wildcats.

Reliever

Miller (1-6) was tagged with the pitching loss, working the final three innings in place of starter Shelby Wobken.

Monday morning started the Cats’ off with an 8-6 win over Assumption (Mass.)

With Wayne’s win came 11 hits led by S. Wobken going 3 for 3 with a homer, two doubles, six RBIs and two runs scored. Both Chandler and Loos had two singles while Hoeg added a double.

All four of the Wildcat pitching staff worked in the game, with freshman Riley VanderVeen getting the win, working two innings. VanderVeen gave up one hit and two runs with two walks and one strikeout. S. Wobken pitched one inning in relief followed by 2 1/3 innings of relief from senior Sarah Macias. Miller worked the final 1 2/3 innings and had four strikeouts to seal the win for the Wildcats.

Senior Miller fired a five-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts to lead WSC in an 8-0 win Monday afternoon over Walsh University of Ohio.

WSC held a 9-5 advantage in hits over Walsh. Emily Chander went 2 for 4 with a homer and two runs scored. Hoeg and Mel Alyea each added two hits while Loos doubled.

“Hitting my first collegiate home run was a surreal moment,” Chandler said. “When I hit it, I didn’t think it was over the fence, so I was rounding first and there was a silence. Then I heard everyone at once start to scream so loud and I just kind of knew it was over at that moment.”

Chandler said. “When I hit it, I didn’t think it was over the fence, so I was rounding first and there was a silence. Then I heard everyone at once start to scream so loud, and I just kind of knew it was over at that moment.”

“I had the biggest smile on my face as I rounded third, and coach made fun of me for it,” Chandler said. “But I was just so happy.”

Miller improves to 2-6 on the season.

Slippery Rock proves formidable

Wayne State fell short in the first game of the day Wednesday to Slippery Rock (Pa.) 8-6.

WSC rallied with three runs in the fifth and three more in the bottom of the sixth and had the tying run on base in the bottom of the seventh before falling 8-6.

Slippery Rock had 11 hits in the game to WSC’s 9. Katelyn Wobken had a two-run homer, Loos was 3 for 4 with three singles to lead the Wildcats at the plate while Hix finished 2 for 2 with a double, single and two runs scored. Chandler had two RBIs while Fehringer added a double and two RBIs for the Wildcats.

“I knew I hit it pretty well and once I saw it go over the fence, I was relieved,” K. Wobken said. “Hopefully, the first of many.”

Towards the end of the game both the starting catcher, K. Wobken, and the starting third basemen, Alyssa Schropp, chased down a pop up that went foul. With Wobken fitted in catcher’s gear, she and Schropp collided head on, leaving Schropp hunched over on the dirt with blood dripping into the red clay field.

“I was a little freaked out because I saw some blood,” Schropp said. “I still have a headache, but my concussion symptoms have gone down. If the symptoms are still there in a couple days, I’ll have to meet with the doctor.”

Starting pitcher

VanderVeen (1-1) suffered the pitching loss, charged with four runs on five hits in one-third of an inning. S. Wobken pitched the next 1 2/3 innings and allowed two runs on one hit with four walks. Miller worked the final five innings and gave up two runs on five hits with six strikeouts and three walks.  

Wayne State senior outfielder Fehringer delivered a bases-loaded single in the top of the seventh inning with two outs to score freshman Chandler with the game-winning run to give the Wildcats a 4-3 win over St. Joseph’s of Indiana Wednesday afternoon.

WSC had nine hits in the game. Chandler finished 3 for 3 with a double, RBI and a run scored. Loos was 2 for 4 with two runs scored. Hix ended 2 for 3 with a homer and RBI while Fehringer was 2 for 4 with the game-winning RBI.

“You could tell it was my first home run all year, considering I overran first base. So that part was embarrassing,” Hix said. “But there’s nothing like rounding third and seeing all your teammates crowded around home plate.

Starter Miller (3-6) earned the pitching win, striking out 10 batters in six innings of work allowing three runs on five hits. Macias then came on in relief in the bottom of the seventh and recorded three fly balls to center field while allowing one hit as the Wildcats rallied for the win. Macias pitched the seventh inning to earn her first save of the year.

Double danger in the home stretch

Wrapping up the end of their spring break trip, the Wayne State College softball team dropped their final two games. The Wildcats lost to 21st-ranked West Chester (Pa.) 9-1 and Cedarville of Ohio 13-11.

Cedarville had 17 h

its in the game to WSC’s 15. Chandler was 3 for 5 with a double to lead the ‘Cats. Hix finished 2 for 4 with another homer, double and two runs scored, while Fehringer was also 2 for 4 with two runs scored.  Loos extended her hitting streak to 14 games while Mel Alyea homered and had four RBIs.

Miller (3-7) was the losing pitcher in the contest with relief help from Macias and S. Wobken.

WSC ended the spring trip at 3-5 and is now 4-10 on the season.

Wayne State resumes play next weekend when the Wildcats travel to the Missouri Western Tournament in St. Joseph, Missouri on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, playing two games each day.