SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The No. 13 ranked and fifth-seeded Winona State softball team opened NCAA Central Region Tournament play with a 4-1 loss to fourth-seed Central Oklahoma Friday afternoon at Bowden Field in Sioux Falls.

With the loss, the Warriors next will play the loser of Friday's Augustana/East Central matchup at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

The Warriors dug themselves an early hole that they were unable to climb out of, as the Bronchos' Morgan Heard hit a three-run home run off of WSU starter Ashley Walker in the first inning to take a 3-0 lead. UCO scored a fourth run in the second inning on an RBI fielder's choice.

Hanna Lythberg was strong in relief of Walker, coming in to pitch the final four and two-thirds innings while allowing just one hit and striking out three throughout the remainder of the game.

The Warriors got on the board in the sixth when freshman McKenna Larsen connected on a 2-2 pitch for a solo home run to right center field to make it 4-1, but the Warriors were unable to manage anything more off Broncho starter Nicole Brady. Despite the loss, the Warriors outhit Central Oklahoma by a 7-4 margin.

Reed Karsten led the Warriors with three hits in four at-bats, while Paige Keegan went 2-for-3.