CARY, N.C. — Wayne State University head softball coach Gary Bryce, in his 36th season at WSU, became the all-time NCAA Division II wins leader as the Warriors blanked Lincoln (Pa.) in their opening contest of the 2017 Shaw University Invitational. Bryce snapped a tie with former Bloomsburg coach Jan Hutchinson (1978-2010), who garnered 1,215 wins in her 33 seasons.  Wayne State kept the momentum after the historic victory, by shutting out Chowan 3-0 in the nightcap.

Bryce, a 2008 NFCA Hall of Fame Inductee and current Division II representative on the Association’s Board of Directors, has led WSU to 10 NCAA tournament appearances in the last 11 seasons. During his tenure, he has built one of the most successful collegiate programs among Michigan universities and colleges, compiling an 1217-705-8 overall record.

Under Bryce’s guidance, Wayne State’s softball program has been nationally ranked 28 times in his 35 seasons. WSU has made 21 appearances (1983-84-86-88-90-92-93-94-96-02-03-06-07-08-09-10-12-13-14-15-16) in the NCAA Division II National Championship tournament since 1982, seventh most in NCAA Division II. The 2009 senior class was the first in school history to make four consecutive NCAA tournament appearances, while the class of 2010 became the first with three 40-plus win seasons.  Meanwhile, the class of 2015 also made four NCAA Tournament appearances and became the first WSU class to win four straight GLIAC Tournament titles.

— Information courtesy of Wayne State Athletics