The Wayne State University softball team is set to travel to Chicago this week for the Lewis Dome Invitational, where they will play five games from Thursday through Saturday. The Warriors, who compete in NCAA Division II and are members of the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, began their season with two wins at the Lincoln Memorial Invitational before weather led to cancellations on Sunday. The program operates as a collegiate athletic team based in Detroit, Michigan, and is part of Wayne State’s intercollegiate athletics offerings (https://wsuathletics.com/sports/softball).
Wayne State opens tournament play against Concordia-St. Paul on Thursday afternoon, followed by a matchup with host Lewis later that evening. On Friday, the Warriors face Minnesota Duluth, then close out their schedule on Saturday with games against Quincy and Winona State.
In series history, Wayne State has won three of four meetings against Concordia-St. Paul since 2001. Against Lewis, the Warriors hold a 12-8 all-time advantage but have lost the last four matchups. The team leads Minnesota Duluth 9-4 in previous contests but fell to them last season at the Dome Invitational. Wayne State also has a narrow lead over Quincy and an even record against Winona State.
The Warriors’ offense is led by sophomore shortstop Hunter Near and sophomore pitcher/first baseman Elly Koopman. Near posted a .625 batting average at last week’s invitational and hit the team’s only home run. Koopman reached base in all eight plate appearances and drove in four runs. Junior Sydney Long pitched a three-hit shutout against Lincoln Memorial.
Head coach Nicole Tines is in her fifth season leading Wayne State.
Concordia-St. Paul enters Thursday’s game with a 2-2 record. Junior infielder Alexis Monty leads the Bears offensively, while senior catcher Danni Sharum has driven in four runs. Bob Bartel is serving his 22nd year as head coach.
Lewis comes into the tournament at 1-3 overall after playing in Dallas earlier this month. Senior Kristen Graham leads Lewis with a .600 batting average; Anna Frafjord has nine RBI for head coach Becky Pearl, now in her twelfth year.
Minnesota Duluth holds a 4-3 record ahead of Friday’s game versus Wayne State. Freshman Daphne Evans leads UMD hitters, while Allyssa Williams and Emmie Sylvia-Cochran anchor the pitching staff under second-year head coach Nat Wagner.
Quincy stands at 2-6 entering tournament play, led by freshman Makala Koozer at .409 batting average and sophomore Kaidence Dumas with eight RBI. Hailey Platt and Hailey Martin share pitching duties for fourth-year head coach Cathy Monroe.
Winona State starts its Dome Invitational schedule on Saturday facing Wayne State among others. Junior Tiegan Mancuso leads offensively; Jayda Berg and Izzy Howe have combined for six pitching wins under longtime head coach Greg Jones.
After this weekend’s event, Wayne State plans to host Oakland University for a doubleheader on March 7th if weather allows before heading to Florida for eight games over five days beginning March 13th.
