FAYETTE, Iowa – Winona State (9-23, 9-13 NSIC) split their fifth straight doubleheader on Tuesday, doing so against Upper Iowa (13-15, 9-11 NSIC). The Warriors rallied in game one to win 3-2 thanks to three runs in the top of the seventh. In game number two Upper Iowa held serve, winning 8-4.
GAME ONE
Warriors Rally in Seventh
The Peacocks got off to a nice start, scoring a run with two outs in the bottom of the first. The first two batters for WSU in the second reached but a double play would halt the mini rally.
Winona State had a runner reach in the third and fourth inning but could not get on the scoreboard. Upper Iowa doubled their lead in the bottom of the fourth, scoring a run on a WSU error.
Jesus Cazares drew a walk to open up the seventh as the Warriors looked to rally. After
Kipp Youngquist reached via a fielder's choice, WSU was down to just two outs. A fly out preceded a stolen base and a
Derek Martin walk, putting the tying run on first.
Nathan Krause drove in Youngquist with a single to center, cutting the Peacocks lead to just one. Upper Iowa would commit an error on a ball hit by
Michael Hommes, giving WSU a 3-2 lead as both Martin and Krause scored on the play.
Upper Iowa matched the Warriors by also drawing a walk to open up their half of the seventh inning. Following a sac bunt Winona State was able to secure the come from behind win with a ground out and fly out.
Lucas Crimmins threw all seven innings, giving up just two hits and one earned run. He would finish the game with six strikeouts while earning the victory.
GAME TWO
Crooked Numbers Cost Warriors the Sweep
A sac fly to center field off the bat of
Sam Kohnle drove in Cazares, putting WSU up 1-0 in the top of inning number two. The game would remain 1-0 heading to the bottom of the fifth inning. Upper Iowa left the bases loaded in the third while WSU's best chance to add to their lead came in the top of the fifth. The Warriors would strand runners on second and third.
The Peacocks started the bottom of the fifth with three straight singles, knotting the game at one. After a fly out and a single to right field, a wild pitch put UIU on top by one. A sac fly followed to give them a 3-1 advantage after five complete.
The Warriors would try to counter in the top of the seventh, loading the bases with one out. Unfortunately, two straight outs ended the inning and the scoring threat. Upper Iowa countered with four runs in the bottom of the seventh, taking a 7-1 lead.
In the top of the eighth WSU got a run via an Upper Iowa error, bringing them within five.
Derek Martin drove in Youngquist making the score 7-3. The Peacocks got a run back in the eighth with a one out single through the left side.
In their final at bat back-to-back, two out doubles by
Taylor Field and Cazares made the final score 8-4 in favor of the Peacocks.
Tanner Haessly pitched well, going six innings and allowing three runs for the Warriors.
