Western Wayne Today

The Wayne State University softball team is preparing for its final set of regular-season games, all of which will be played away from home. The Warriors currently hold a 19-26 record overall, with an 8-12 standing in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC). Their road stretch begins on April 19 at Davenport, with the first game starting at noon.

Historically, Wayne State has faced challenges against Davenport, winning only six of the last 21 match-ups and currently trailing in the series 17-11. Davenport defeated the Warriors twice earlier this season in Detroit.

As for standout players, senior Rylie Josephson is leading Wayne State with a .467 batting average and a .556 on-base percentage. Freshmen Katelyn DeWitt and Elly Koopman have been impressive with .349 and .331 batting averages respectively. Koopman leads with 34 RBIs, while DeWitt shares the lead with seven doubles and four triples. Sophomore Logan Forman has hit nine home runs and boasts a .634 slugging percentage. On the mound, junior Grace Fisher leads with nine wins and a 3.60 ERA, and sophomore Sydney Long has five wins and two saves. Both pitchers have achieved 69 strikeouts, while junior Hayden Batton has struck out 46 in 66 innings.

The Warriors are under the guidance of Nicole Tines, who is in her fourth year as the team's coach. Tines has steered the team to 19 wins this year, marking the second-highest in the past six seasons.

Davenport, led by interim head coach Ronda Varnesdeel, holds a 17-23 overall record with the same 8-12 GLIAC standing. Senior Brooke Bernt leads their offense with a .337 average and junior Ally Prasnjak has notable figures with 11 doubles, four home runs, and 25 RBIs. Sophomore pitcher Hailey Whisman has nine wins, with a total of 111.2 innings pitched and 67 strikeouts.

Wayne State's season continues with a doubleheader at Ferris State on April 22, as part of the final six games of their regular season.