Wayne State 2 #12 Augustana 0

            Wayne State College junior pitcher Katie Goetzinger tossed a two-hit shutout with 10 strikeouts to lead the Wildcats in a 2-0 win over #12 Augustana Saturday afternoon in the winner's bracket final of the Northern Sun Conference Softball Tournament in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.  With the win, WSC advances to the championship game with a 39-12 record while Augustana suffers its first loss in the tournament and falls to 43-11 on the season. 

            The only runs of the game were scored by the Wildcats in the fifth inning.  Goetzinger laced a one-out double to right center field.  Brittany Greenwood then singled with two outs to send Goetzinger to third.  Leadoff batter Amy Sandstrom delivered an RBI single to right field that scored Goetzinger with the first run of the game.  Sandstrom then stole second base and on the play Greenwood came home on a throwing error by Augustana catcher Elizabeth Murray to make the score 2-0.      

            That's all the support Goetzinger would need as she out-battled Augustana starter Ashley Meyer to get the Wildcats the win.  Goetzinger improved to 28-8 on the season with the win, striking out 10 without a walk while allowing just two hits.  Meyer (19-4) suffered just her fourth loss of the season for Augustana, giving up five hits to the 'Cats.

            Freshman designated player Kassie Nurton was 2 for 3 with a double and single to lead Wayne State at the plate.  Goetzinger also doubled while Sandstrom and Greenwood each added singles.

             The Wildcats will play later Saturday afternoon (around 4 p.m.) in the championship game against either Concordia-St. Paul or Augustana.