Pitch perfect

WSC softball pitchers shut down opposing batters over the weekend, allowing zero earned runs

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  • Sara Scheffert pitched well over the weekend, leading the Wayne State pitching staff allowing zero earned runs.

  • Megan Hagemann takes aim on a pitch during a game earlier in the season.

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Jeremy Baratta, Staff Writer

Putting zeroes on the board was a specialty for the Wildcat pitchers last weekend.

The Wayne State softball team was carried by their pitching staff as they outscored their opponents 32-2 (zero earned runs) between the two games last Wednesday and the three games over the weekend.

“We had a solid weekend,” coach Krista Wood said. “We played good defense, pitched and hit well. Our pitchers did a great job this weekend keeping people off the bases.”

The Wildcats have won nine straight games and 15 of the last 16. The ‘Cats are 29-10 and 15-2 in NSIC play.

WSC was led in the pitching circle by Sara Scheffert and Kelcie Bormann.

Scheffert went 3-0 with 23 strikeouts, 3 complete games and 1 save. Bormann went 2-0 with 13 strikeouts and 1 complete game.

The ‘Cats were paced at the plate by Kaiti Williams, who had a .588 average and 8 RBI.

Other notables offensively were Kylee Simpson (.467), Jordan King (.400) and Megan Hagemann (.375).

Weather was a factor for the ‘Cats as they traveled to play Minnesota Duluth Saturday. WSC captured a 3-0 victory in game one, before game two was canceled due to the weather.

The Wildcats were led offensively by Kylee Simpson, who went two for three and Bormann, who went two for four. Sam O’Brien and Monique Alyea each had a homer.

Scheffert earned the pitching victory as she shutout the Bulldogs with 10 strikeouts and no walks while allowing just five hits.

The ‘Cats went to St. Cloud State on Sunday and left with two 11-0 victories.

In the first game WSC was led at the plate by Williams who went 4 for 4 with a homer and 4 RBI. Monique Alyea was 2 for 3 with a double and 3 RBI followed by King and Hagemann, who were both 2 for 4.

Scheffert, who worked a complete game and allowed seven hits and no runs with five strikeouts, gained the pitching victory.

In the second game, the ‘Cats were led offensively by King, who went a perfect 5 for 5 with 3 RBI. Williams went 3 for 4 and collected 2 RBI, while Simpson went 3 for 4 with 3 RBI.

A week after throwing a no-hitter, Bormann threw a one-hitter.

Bormann gave up the lone hit in the sixth inning, as she went on to throw a complete game, striking out 10.

The Wildcats swept a doubleheader against Southwest Minnesota State last Wednesday, 4-0 and 3-2.

Three seniors will play their last home games this weekend: Kylie Simpson, Vicki Nielson and Michelle Thille.

“The three seniors are a great group of kids,” Wood said. “They are very hard workers and great team players.”

The ‘Cats will play the Fill the Hill game today against Sioux Falls at 3 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Wear pink to support the fight against breast cancer and cheer on the Wildcats.

WSC will play a doubleheader against conference-leading Minnesota State (32-6 and 16-0 in NSIC) on Friday. The ‘Cats will also play a doubleheader against Concordia-St. Paul on Saturday.

Score by Innings R H E

Wayne State (Neb.).. 010 021 0 – 4 9 0
Southwest Minn……..000 000 0 – 0 5 1

Wayne State (Neb.).. 003 000 0 – 3 6 2
Southwest Minn……..000 200 0 – 2 4 0

Wayne State (Neb.).. 000 012 0 – 3 9 0
Minnesota Duluth…. 000 000 0 – 0 5 1

Wayne State (Neb.).. 013 200 5 – 11 12 0
St. Cloud State……… 000 000 0 – 0 7 2

Wayne State (Neb.).. 100 132 4 – 11 14 1
St. Cloud State……….. 000 000 0 – 0 1 1