SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Winona State softball team split a doubleheader with the University of Sioux Falls Saturday afternoon at Sherman Park in Sioux Falls. WSU dropped the opener 1-0 before rebounding with a 5-2 win in the nightcap.

GAME ONE: USF 1, WSU 0

The Warriors were held to just two hits and a sixth-inning solo home run by the Cougars proved to be the difference as the Warriors dropped game one 1-0.

Natalie Kalmes and Chelsey Rodenkirch recorded the lone hits for WSU. Hanna Lythberg (15-9) took the loss despite allowing only four hits and one earned run while striking out four Cougars.

GAME TWO: WSU 5, USF 2

The Warriors continued to struggle to push a run across the plate in game two before finally breaking through for a pair of unearned runs in the fifth inning. A throwing error by the center fielder on a base hit by Jamee Schleis allowed Reed Karsten to score. Schleis then scored on the second throwing error of the inning – this time by the Cougar catcher – to put the Warriors in front 2-0.

The Warriors got some separation in the sixth inning thanks to an RBI triple by Lani Van Zyl that scored Tayler Oberman. Van Zyl then scored on an RBI single through the left side off the bat of Allyson O'Herron. WSU took a 5-2 lead when a wild pitch allowed Mariah Schultz to score.

USF scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth but that's as close as they'd get as WSU salvaged the doubleheader split.

McKenna Larsen improved to 11-3 in the circle with the complete game victory, scattering eight hits with two earned runs and four strikeouts.

Winona State (33-15, 15-10 NSIC) closes the regular season Sunday with a noon doubleheader against Southwest Minnesota State in Marshall.