Wayne, Neb. --- Wayne State collected an 8-7 extra inning win over Northwest Missouri State in the second game to gain a split of a non-conference softball doubleheader Monday afternoon in Maryville, Missouri. The host Bearcats won the opener by a 2-0 score and are now 15-11 while WSC is now 5-18 on the season.

Despite out-hitting NMSU 7-6 in the opener, the Bearcats picked up a 2-0 win over the Wildcats.

The ‘Cats put runners on second and third in the opening inning but could not score.

Northwest Missouri State scoring single runs in the first and fifth innings for a 2-0 lead. WSC recorded three hits in the seventh inning and loaded the bases with two outs but could not come up with another hit as the Bearcats held on for the 2-0 win.

Lauren Laudick and Louisa Stowman each went 2 for 3 at the plate while Riley Holmberg was 2 for 4 with a pair of singles.

Sophomore starter Grace Lucka (2-7) suffered the pitching loss despite a complete game effort in the circle. She was charged with six hits and two runs (one earned) with one strikeout and two walks.

The second game was a back and forth battle with WSC finally hanging on for a wild 8-7 eight inning victory over the Bearcats to gain a split of the doubleheader.

A Paiton Tornberg RBI single in the first gave the ‘Cats a 1-0 lead.

NMSU scored twice in the second and one more in the third for a 3-1 advantage, but WSC cut the deficit to 3-2 in the fourth when Dylan Sweeney’s RBI single brought home Hayley Murphy, who doubled to start the inning.

A three-run sixth inning, all coming with two outs and no runners on base, gave the Wildcats a 5-3 lead. Laudick laced a solo homer for the first run. Kim Vidlak singled up the middle and scored when Holmberg reached on a fielding error by the Bearcats. Holmberg then scored on an RBI single from Stowman.

But NMSU matched WSC with a three-run bottom of the sixth for a 6-5 lead.

Wayne State regained the lead with two runs in the top of the seventh on RBI singles from Annika Manzanares and Vidlak for a 7-6 lead. NMSU came back with one run to tie the score at 7-7 and send the game into extra innings.

In the eighth, Holmberg was placed at second base and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a Tornberg RBI single for an 8-7 lead.

WSC then retired the Bearcats in order in the bottom of the eighth to cap the 8-7 comeback win.

The Wildcats had 13 hits in the win. Vidlak was 3 for 5 with three singles and two runs scored. Holmberg added two singles and two runs scored while Tornberg had a pair of RBI singles including the game-winner in the eighth. Laudick also had two hits including a home run.

Sami Felt started the game in the circle and worked 3 2/3 innings. Freshman Sophie Stuart pitched the remaining 4 1/3 innings and recorded her first collegiate win, now 1-2 on the season.

The Wildcats resume play on Tuesday, March 28 when Wayne State hosts Augustana in the NSIC opener scheduled for 2 p.m. at the Pete Chapman Softball Complex in Wayne.