The ‘Cats split with Augustana University in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference opening double header last Tuesday at the Pete Chapman Softball Complex.

Augustana won 9-3 in the opener, with Wayne State rallying in the second game for a thrilling 9-8 victory.

In the first game, WSC had just six hits. Caitlin Fehringer finished 2 for 3 with a double while Alyssa Schropp also doubled. Lexie Loos, Katelyn Wobken and Abbie Hix each singled.

Cassy Miller (4-10) suffered the pitching loss, allowing seven runs on eight hits in four innings. Freshman Riley VanderVeen worked two innings of relief, with Shelby Wobken pitching the seventh inning.

In the second game, the Wildcats rallied for four runs in the bottom of the seventh with two outs to capture a 9-8 win over the Vikings.

WSC had 17 hits in the game. K. Wobken was 3 for 5 with a homer, 3 RBIs and three runs scored. Emily Chandler was 3 for 4 with the game-winning hit and two RBIs, while Hoeg also went 3 for 4 at the plate.

S. Wobken (1-2) was the winning pitcher in relief, working the final 1 2/3 innings, allowing just two hits and no runs. Miller pitched the first four innings, giving up six runs (three earned) on five hits while Sarah Macias pitched the next 1 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on one hit before Wobken came in to finish the game.

“I’m extremely pleased with how the team worked,” coach Shelli Manson said. “We faced a lot of adversity and they stuck together for the win, never giving up.”

Wildcat seniors Miller and S. Wobken threw two complete games to help the team earn a sweep on the weekend against University of Mary in Bismarck, N.D.

The weekend opener saw Miller fire a complete game, allowing just five hits and two runs with nine strikeouts and two walks.

WSC had 12 hits in game one. Sophomore K. Wobken was 3 for 4 with a homer and three RBIs. Freshman Chandler was 3 for 4 with one run scored. Freshman designated player Hix was 3 for 3. Fehringer doubled with O’Brien and Schropp each adding singles.

“Coming back (after being injured) and getting the opportunity to be out there with this team for my last year is the best feeling in the world,” O’Brien said.

The Wildcats started the double header winning 6-2.

Senior S. Wobken took the mound in game two, firing a complete-game win.
WSC scored all three runs in the top of the first inning on just two hits while taking advantage of one Marauder error, three walks and a passed ball.

Fehringer ended 2 for 3 with a pair of singles. Loos, Chandler, Melanie Alyea and Morgan Hoeg also had singles for the ‘Cats.

The Wildcats won 3-2 over the Marauders to complete the sweep.

Wayne completed a four-game weekend sweep, winning 9-2 and 11-2 at Minot State Saturday. The games were played on the Beavers football field in Herb Parker Stadium.

Loos was back at it again, finishing 5 for 5 to lead the ‘Cats offense followed by Hix, who was 3 for 4 with a pair of home runs, four RBIs and three runs scored. Mel Alyea was 3 for 5 with two runs scored. Hoeg had a solo home run while K. Wobken, Schropp and Fehringer each singled.

Senior Miller threw six strong innings to earn the pitching win. She struck out seven batters while allowing just four hits and two runs with three walks. Senior reliever Macias worked the seventh inning and retired all three batters faced with one strikeout.

Minot State got a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth to make the score 9-2, then WSC added three insurance runs in the top of the seventh for a 12-2 score. K. Wobken’s RBI single scored Hoeg (walk), then Chandler doubled to right center field scoring Loos (single) while Wobken scored on a MISU error for the final run.

Wayne had 14 hits in the game, led by Loos who was 3 for 5 with two RBIs and two runs scored. K. Wobken was 2 for 4 with three RBIs, O’Brien had a single while Chandler, Hoeg and Mel Alyea each added two hits in the win.

“Starting off conference play with a 5-1 record gave the team a lot more confidence,” Fehringer said. “Our team has the ability to compete with anyone in our conference and I think we have a very positive outlook on the upcoming conference games.”

Miller tallied another win on the mound for the Wildcats. She started the game and worked the first three innings without giving up a hit and struck out five. S. Wobken worked the next two innings and was charged with one run on five hits. Miller then re-entered and pitched the last two innings, striking out three more batters while allowing just one hit.

The Wildcats will drive again Tuesday afternoon to visit 15th-ranked Winona State in a NSIC doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.