Wayne, Neb. — Freshman Lillie Timm’s walk-off homer with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning powered Wayne State softball to a 4-2 win over MSU Moorhead in the opener of Friday’s Northern Sun Conference doubleheader played at the Pete Chapman Softball Complex in Wayne. MSU Moorhead came back for a 10-7 win in the second game to collect a split of the twinbill. The Dragons are now 19-15 and 6-6 in the NSIC while WSC is 5-27 and 1-7 in the league.
The opener saw the Wildcats rally in the seventh with two outs and one runner on base, using Timm’s heroic blast over the left field wall, to cap a thrilling win.
Trailing 2-1 entering the seventh, WSC got a leadoff walk from designated player Masyn Bunnell. After the next two batters were retired, Jordyn Rochholz singled to right center field bringing home Bunnell for a 2-2 tie. On an 0-1 pitch, Timm then followed with a high fly ball that sailed over the left field wall giving the ‘Cats a 4-2 walk-off win.
MSU Moorhead held a 7-5 edge in hits in the contest. Rochholz was 2 for 4 with two runs scored. Timm had the two-run homer while Mary Krystofiak and Lauren Laudick each singled.
Starter Sami Felt worked the first 5 1/3 innings, allowing just six hits and two runs. Junior Grace Lucka came on in relief and pitched 1 2/3 innings for the win, striking out three batters.
The second game saw Wayne State nearly rally from an 8-2 deficit before the Dragons finished with a 10-7 win.
Trailing 3-0 in the third, WSC got on the scoreboard thanks to a solo homer by freshman third baseman Payton Kincaid.
The ‘Cats made the score 3-2 in the fourth when Laudick singled and scored on a double from Emilee Marth.
MSU Moorhead then scored two runs in the fifth and three in the sixth for an 8-2 lead.
Wayne State bounced back with a five-run sixth, highlighted by an RBI triple from Mary Krystofiak, a two-run single from Masyn Bunnell and an RBI single by Jordyn Klein, to cut the Dragons lead to 8-7.
MSUM then got a two-run homer in the seventh to close the scoring for a 10-7 victory.
Wayne State had 11 hits in the game, led by Laudick going 3 for 4 with an RBI. Timm and Marth each went 2 for 4 with a run scored. Kincaid added a home run.
Starter Grace Lucka suffered the pitching loss, working the first four innings. Sophie Stuart pitched 1 1/3 innings of relief with senior Callie Carraher firing the final 1 2/3 innings.
The Wildcats will be at home again Saturday hosting Northern State at 12 p.m.
