Top-ranked Wayne scored six runs in the sixth inning to break away with an 8-0 win over fifth-ranked Guardian Angels Central Catholic in a showdown of top 10 teams Thursday at Timmerman Park in West Point.
The game was scoreless until the fourth, when Abby Ankeny drew a bases-loaded walk to score Annie Kniesche, who started a run of four consecutive free passes for the Blue Devils.
Wayne added another run in the fifth when Kniesche doubled home Maysn Dorey, then broke the game open with six runs in the sixth inning. Josie Thompson started the big inning with a bases-loaded walk, followed by a two-run single by Dorey that scored Kendall Dorey and Allison Claussen. Kayla Fleming added a two-run single that scored Thompson and Maysn Dorey, and Sidney Biggerstaff brought Fleming home with a single to cap the rally and the defense shut down GACC to end the game on the eight-run rule.
Maysn Dorey had two hits and two RBI’s and scored twice to lead the 25-0 Blue Devils. Fleming also had two RBI’s as eight different players accounted for at least one of Wayne’s nine hits.
Tori Kniesche threw another masterpiece, throwing a one-hit shutout with 16 strikeouts and one walk in just 91 pitches to improve to 20-0 on the season. She has 253 strikeouts in 21 games and lowered her ERA to 0.20.
Wayne will play in the Mid State Conference softball tournament on Saturday, then close the regular season Tuesday at South Sioux City. They will play host to the district tournament Thursday and Friday, Oct. 4-5, at the Summer Sports Complex.
