Wayne State College softball fell short in last Wednesday’s double-header in Hays, Kan., against Fort Hays State. The final scores were 2-1 and 7-0.
 
“We are still pretty rough when it comes to hitting,” Head Coach Shelli Manson said. “It prompted us to really make some changes to practices and how we’ve been holding ourselves accountable.”
 
The first game of the day was scoreless through five innings. However, the Tigers racked up three hits to take a 1-0 lead. The ‘Cats notched the score at 1-1 in the top of the sixth when sophomore infielder Abbie Hix walked and ended up scoring off junior outfielder Rachel Shumaker’s RBI double.
 
The game was still tied 1-1 in the seventh inning. With one out, the Tigers took advantage of a WSC fielding error, advancing a runner to third base on a sacrifice bunt and ultimately hitting a walk-off single to hand WSC the 2-1 loss.
 
“It was a dog fight the first game,” Manson said. “We just didn’t come out on the right end of it.”
 
Junior catcher Katelyn Wobken and Shumaker had two hits each, while senior catcher Monique Alyea had a single. Sophomore pitcher Riley Vanderveen had a great showing, going 6 2/3 innings pitched and allowing two runs on eight hits with four strikeouts and no walks.
 
“We’re working on being more confident at the plate,” Manson said. “We’re trying to do too much rather than just letting it happen.”
 
Game two began on the right foot for the ‘Cats as Wobken and sophomore Emily Chandler singled but could not score. Fort Hays responded by adding two runs in the first inning leading 2-0.
 
The Tigers added three more runs in the third and two in the fifth inning. Mo. Alyea was the only other WSC player who had a hit, which came in the seventh inning with two outs. Fort Hays held on for the 7-0 victory.
 
“Our freshman pitcher got thrown into the fire pretty early,” Manson said. “We didn’t have Nataliah Hopkins for these games, so our young pitchers had to carry the load.”
 
Freshman pitcher Allison Niemeier suffered the loss, pitching 2 1/3 innings, allowing five runs on six hits. Vanderveen pitched the remaining 3 2/3 innings and allowed three hits.
 
“We need to hit better,” Manson said. “We’ve been playing good defense, and our pitching has been doing well, we just need to hit to put it all together.”
 
WSC is back in action today playing a double header against Truman State in Kirksville, Mo.