WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State softball team swept its NSIC-opening doubleheader Saturday, earning 3-2 and 9-1 road wins over Minnesota Crookston.

The Warriors took a 3-0 lead over the Golden Eagles after four innings, and WSU would need all of them.  Reed Karsten scored on a single up the middle in the first, then Morgan Lintz homered in the third and Karsten brought home another run in the fourth. UMC cut it to just one in the seventh with a two-run home run, but the Warriors held on for the victory.

Despite the late home run, starter Ashley Walker gave up just two hits while pitching all seven innings to improve her record to 8-3 on the season.

The second game was all Warriors, highlighted by a six-run third inning. Lexi Perez opened the scoring with an RBI single, then Walker produced a 2 RBI double to left field and McKenna Larsen added a three-run home run to take a 6-0 lead and more than enough run support for starter Hanna Lythberg.

After a solo home run for the Golden Eagles in the fourth, McKenna Larsen added to her big day with another home run – this one to center field – to solidify the 9-1 victory.

Lythberg struck out six while giving up just five hits while pitching all six innings for the Warriors.

Winona State (20-7, 2-0 NSIC) returns to action Sunday with a doubleheader against Bemidji State at noon in Bemidji.