CLERMONT, Fla. – Winona State (16-3) increased their winning streak to five as they picked up two victories in their final day in Florida. The Warriors beat Northwood 11-3 in five innings to start the day before taking out Cedarville 5-2. Winona State went 8-2 on the trip.
Vs Northwood
The Warriors started quick, scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning. An error sparked the rally and WSU loaded the bases with one out.
Paige Keegan singled up the middle driving in
Jamee Schleis. Next up,
Samantha McLean had a RBI ground out, driving in
McKenna Larsen. The final run of the inning scored on
Allyson O'Herron's single up the middle, driving in
Lani Van Zyl.
Northwood countered the Warriors rally, scoring two runs on three hits. The inning featured a two-run double to bring the Timberwolves within two. The score got tighter in the top of the third when a sac fly made it 4-3. Winona State threatened in the bottom of the third but left the bases loaded.
After
Alyssa Van Valey worked out of a mini jam in the top of the fourth, the Warriors offense got going once again.
Shaye Witte kicked off the bottom of the fourth with a single to center. An error on
Katelyn Kolb's sac bunt put runners on first and third with no outs. Schleis drove in both Witte and Kolb with a triple to right field. After a pitching change, Larsen singled to left, driving in Schleis. Van Zyl had the Warriors third straight RBI hit, driving in Larsen with a double to right field. The final run of the inning scored when Keegan singled through the right side, driving in Van Zyl and putting the Warriors up 9-3.
Winona State ended the game in the fifth inning. Witte homered to right field to start the inning giving the Warriors a seven-run lead. With one out Schleis and Maria Schultz had back-to-back singles putting the winning run in scoring position. Keegan would deliver with a two-out single to right field driving in Schleis.
The bullpen pitched three scoreless innings for the Warriors.
Jaida Reynen picked up her third win of the year and Van Valey earned the save.
Vs Cedarville
Cedarville put pressure on Winona State, scoring two runs in the bottom of the third inning. The runs scored on a two-run single up the middle with two outs. The Warriors were quick to respond, tying the game and then taking the lead in the top of the fourth. With two outs, a Cedarville error kept the inning alive.
Paige Keegan doubled to center field with runners on first and third to tie the game.
Samantha McLean was up next and delivered a triple to right center driving in Keegan and giving the Warriors a 3-2 lead.
The Yellow Jackets went down in order in the fourth and fifth innings. Winona State looked for some insurance in the sixth inning.
Lani Van Zyl tripled to right center with one out. After a fielder's choice, McLean delivered again, driving in Van Zyl with a sac fly to left center. Cedarville tried to respond in the bottom of the inning but stranded a runner on second.
An error with a runner on third in the top of the seventh gave the Warriors more breathing room, taking a 5-2 lead into the final inning of play.
McKenna Larsen earned her seventh win of the year, pitching all seven innings and allowing two earned runs. She struck out a season and career high nine batters.
