WINONA, Minn. – Winona State (23-6, 4-0 NSIC) picked up their sixth straight win after taking both games with Southwest Minnesota State (10-10, 1-3 NSIC). The Warriors won game won 2-1 before beating the Mustangs 4-1 in the second game.
GAME ONE
Larsen Quiets Mustangs
Winona State started fast, quickly loading the bases with no outs in the first inning.
Lani Van Zyl got the Warriors on the board with a two-run RBI to right field, driving in
Shaye Witte and
Katelyn Kolb. The Mustangs would cut the deficit in half in the top of the fourth, scoring a run on an infield single.
The bottom of the fourth through the top of the sixth breezed by without either team getting a real scoring chance. In the bottom of the sixth
McKenna Larsen led off the inning with a double to left field.
McKenna Gutt pinch ran for Larsen and reached third before being stranded.
Larsen would re-enter the game in the circle in the top of the seventh and pick up the complete game win. In seven innings of work Larsen allowed just one run on four hits and one strikeout.
GAME TWO
Early Runs, Kleman Push Streak to Six
The Warriors would take a 2-0 lead in the first inning without gathering a hit.
Mariah Schultz and
Jamee Schleis each had RBI's in the inning. Schultz was hit with the bases loaded and Schleis drew a bases loaded walk to give WSU the lead.
Winona State had a runner in scoring position in the second and third but could not add to their lead. The Mustangs also had a runner in scoring position in the early innings by could not get on the scoreboard. After SMSU left a runner on second in the fourth inning Winona State added to their lead in the bottom of the inning.
Sam McLean started the inning with a single to right center. After
Shaye Witte singled with one out, WSU had runners on first and second. The bases were loaded after Larsen singled up the middle.
Lani Van Zyl drove in McLean and Witte to give the Warriors a 4-0 advantage.
After two scoreless innings in the fifth and sixth, Southwest Minnesota State got on the board with a solo homer in the top of the seventh. It would be all
Jordyn Kleman would allow as she picked up her eighth win of the year. She struck out five Mustangs while giving up five hits.
Tomorrow's games vs Sioux Falls will begin at 11 a.m., a change from the scheduled 1 p.m. start due to potential rain in the forecast.
