WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State Warriors (4-12) coming off of a three win weekend, took on the Bemidji State Beavers (5-13) on  a double header Sunday at Maxwell-Loughrey Filed. The Warriors took game one after a six run first inning and Mitchell Stalsberg's ten-strikeout performance led WSU to a seven inning 8-3 victory. In the second game stranded baserunners proved costly for the Warriors as they fell 5-2 splitting the day.
 
Game 1
Six Run First Inning Propels Warriors Past Beavers
 
Mitchell Stalsberg got the nod to take the mound as the Warriors starter in game one versus the Beavers. Following a leadoff strikeout, Ryan Rumpca drilled a triple to deep left center field. Stalsberg didn't let the triple phase him, striking out the final two batters of the inning looking. Michael Hommes got Winona into the hit column with a one out single to center field, two batters later Jesus Cazares singled to left scoring Hommes. Andrew Pliner continued the scoring in the next at bat singling up the middle before Kipp Youngquist took advantage of a previous error knocking in a run on a sacrifice fly. The Warriors early scoring continued as Nathan Krause singled to left center scoring one before Derek Martin doubled to left field driving in two, bringing the first inning advantage to 6-0.
 
Stalsberg set down his third batter in a row on strikes to begin the second inning. Stalsberg notched his fifth strikeout of the game following a walk before inducing a ground out to end the inning. Kubera had the lone hit for WSU in the second doubling down the left field line with one out, before a ground out and a strikeout ended the inning.
 
The Beavers began the third with a single to left by Nick Hovila. Hovila immediately stole second during the next at bat. Stalsberg struck out the next two batters swinging before hitting Scott Litchy. Bemidji State couldn't drive in their two baserunners as a fly out ended the inning. One out singles by Youngquist and Krause set up another single, this time by Martin, scoring a run. A sacrifice fly by Treyton Larson added another run bringing the lead to 8-0 before a strikeout ended the third.
 
Stalsberg set down the Beavers in order to begin the fourth, striking out two swinging and inducing a groundout as he reached nine strikeouts on the day. Drew Phillips took over pitching duties for Bemidji State putting down the Warriors one, two, three on three groundouts.
 
A one out double by Ben Boser to begin the fifth inning set up BSU for their first run of the contest as he stole third and advanced home on a throwing error. Stalsberg would later get out of the inning forcing a fly out and notching another strikeout. The Warriors couldn't take advantage with runners on first and second with one out in the bottom half of the inning as a strikeout and a fly out ended the threat.
 
Lucas Crimmins took over for Stalsberg in the top half of inning number six. Crimmins made quick work of the Beavers, inducing a ground out, pop out and a fly out on his way to a one, two, three inning. Winona State couldn't take advantage of a leadoff walk to Hommes as Phillips forced a double play and a fly out.
 
Mitchell Eady took the mound with a seven-run lead in the final inning of play. A one-out single accompanied by a wild pitch put runners on second and third, Boser singled to right driving in one as BSU attempted a late comeback. Left fielder Hommes made a diving catch on Rumpca's fly out scoring one more before a strikeout ended the contest at 8-3 in favor of the Warriors.
 
 
Game 2
Early runs too much to overcome in loss
 
Hayden Krimmer took the mound for the Warriors in game two of the double header. After a leadoff fly out; Hommes laid out for a diving catch in left before Krimmer set down the third batter swinging. Bemidji State pitcher Jack Stigman also kept the bases empty inducing a ground out, a pop out and notching a strikeout.
 
A strikeout from Krimmer started the second inning as he set down the Beavers one, two, three. Cazares's double gave the game its first baserunner before Pliner's sacrifice bunt advance him to third with only one down. A strikeout from Stigman brought the inning to two outs. Youngquist walked during the next at bat as the Warriors were threatening with runners on first and third before a ground out ended the inning scoreless.
 
Bemidji State opened the third inning with a single, it led to a double, scoring the first run of the game. Two batters later, Ben Boser singled to left plating the second and final run of the inning. Winona State couldn't counter the two run third as they were set in order by Stigman.
 
After a strikeout and a foul out, the Beavers threatened to score as a single to left and a walk put runners on base. Krimmer was able to get the final out forcing a fly out to left field. Looking to get on the scoreboard, Cazares reached on an infield single with one out in the inning. Mitchell Heid followed two batters later with a two out single, putting base runners on first and second before a strikeout put an end to the scoring attempt.
 
Rumpca was hit by Krimmer's pitch three batters into the fifth with one out advancing Collin Eckman to second. Krimmer was able to work out of the inning striking out Scott Litchy and inducing a ground ball for the third out. Taylor Field gave Winona State a spark tripling off the right field wall to lead off the bottom of the fifth inning. Two consecutive pop outs and a strikeout stranded Field on third keeping WSU off the scoreboard.
 
Logan Riedel doubled down the right field line in the first at bat of the sixth, Riedel advanced to third on a wild pitch before Gunner Olszewski singled to the right field wall scoring a run. A fly out brought the top half of the inning to an end as Bemidji State's advantage grew to 3-0. The Warriors first two batters reached base in the bottom half with Kubera getting hit by a pitch and Cazares' single to left field. Following a strikeout, Heid drilled a double to center scoring Kubera and advancing Cazares to third. A groundout brought Field to the plate with two outs with two on, as Stigman got the strikeout ending the inning with the score at 3-1.
 
Josh Nielson entered the game for the Warriors to begin the seventh inning striking out the first batter to face him. Rumpca walked during the next at bat and stole second leading to Litchy driving the run in. A groundout and a strikeout ended the inning with the Beavers on top 4-1. Will Thurston came into pitch for BSU setting the Warriors down one, two, three in the inning.
 
The Warriors made a pitching change for the second consecutive inning, with Tanner Haessly replacing Nielson. Back-to-back errors scored a run and put two runners on base before a fly out to center brought the top of the eighth to two outs. Haessly got out of the inning after a fly out to right. Thurston set down the first two Warrior batters in the eighth before Pliner singled to right bringing Mitchell Heid to the plate. Heid doubled off the right field wall scoring Pliner bringing Winona State within three runs.
 
Haessly stayed in the game to pitch the ninth inning getting the first out on a ground ball before giving up a single. Heassly got out of the inning during the next batter inducing a 6-4-3 double play. Jack Wittwer entered the game in the bottom of the ninth looking for the save. Wittwer put down the first two Warrior batters of the inning. Pinch hitter Sam Kohnle doubled to left center trying to keep the Warriors hopes alive before a ground out ended the contest with a 5-2 Beaver victory.
 
The same two teams do battle tomorrow, with the double header beginning at 12 p.m.
 
By: Jake Thiede