Wayne, Neb. --- Eight different Wildcats had at least two hits and freshman Sophie Stuart fired four innings of scoreless relief to lead Wayne State in a 15-9 win over Upper Iowa Wednesday afternoon in Northern Sun Conference softball played at Eischeid Softball Complex in Fayette, Iowa.

Due to cold conditions, the second game was canceled. WSC is now 7-23 and 2-5 in league play while UIU is 10-15 and also 2-5 in NSIC games.

The first half of the contest featured multi-run innings by both teams with the second half of the contest dominated by relief pitchers with just one run scored between the two teams in the final four innings.

WSC got off to a quick start with three runs in the first inning. Riley Holmberg opened the game with a single followed by a two-run homer from Lauren Laudick to get the ‘Cats up 2-0. A two-out solo homer by third baseman Paiton Tornberg gave WSC a 3-0 advantage.

After Upper Iowa scored five runs in the bottom of the first for a 5-3 lead, the Wildcats came up with five runs in the top of the second for a 8-5 lead. Laudick laced a two-run double to left center field for the first two runs. Kim Vidlak added a two-run triple to center field with the final run coming on an RBI ground out from Louisa Stowman.

The host Peacocks scored twice in the bottom of the second, cutting the Wildcat lead to 8-7 after just two innings.

Wayne State posted six runs in the third inning, on just two hits, while taking advantage of four UIU walks. Madison Gomez opened the inning with a solo homer. Following three straight walks, Vidlak had an RBI fielder’s choice. The next WSC run scored on a passed ball and another coming on an RBI groundout. The final two runs came on a single by Annika Manzanares to cap the six-run frame.

Upper Iowa then scored two runs in the bottom of the third for a 14-9 score.

The next four innings were dominated by relief pitchers from both teams. Wayne State added an insurance run in the top of the seventh as Hayley Murphy singled and later scored on a wild pitch.

Wayne State had 17 hits in the contest. Tornberg finished 3 for 4 with a homer and two runs scored. Laudick was 2 for 4 with a homer, double and four RBI with three runs scored while Vidlak finished 2 for 5 with a triple, three RBI and two runs scored. Gomez had two hits with a homer, Holmberg recorded two hits and three runs scored, Murphy doubled and had two hits while Manzanares and Arbizu each added two hits in the win.

Sophomore reliever Sophie Stuart (2-3) fired four scoreless innings of relief to get the win, allowing just one hit with three strikeouts and two walks. Starter Grace Lucka worked the first three innings.

Wayne State will be on the road again this weekend. The ‘Cats games at the University of Mary on Friday have been moved to the Minot State Air-Supported Dome and will now be played at 2:30 and 4:30 p.m. followed by a Saturday morning doubleheader vs. Minot State starting at 8 a.m.