WINONA, Minn. – Winona State (38-9, 19-3 NSIC) picked up a pair of wins over Mary (16-31, 10-12 NSIC), winning 6-0 in game one and 8-0 in game two. It was the 19
th and 20
th shutouts of the year for the Warriors.
GAME ONE
Big Inning Leads to Victory
Lani Van Zyl led off the bottom of the second with a double down the line left as the Warriors looked poised to score the game's first run. It would not happen as Mary got out of the jam stranding two Warriors on base.
After Mary stranded a runner in scoring position in the top of third WSU did the same in the bottom half of the inning.
Back-to-back singles by
Mariah Schultz and
Shaye Witte put the Warriors in business in the bottom of the fourth. After
Paige Keegan drew a walk the bases were loaded for
Allyson O'Herron. O'Herron hit a ball that was mishandled, allowing WSU to take the lead. Another run scored on fielder's choice RBI by
Samantha McLean to make it 2-0.
McKenna Larsen had the big hit in the inning, driving in three with a double to left center, giving Winona State a 5-0 lead. The final run of the inning would score another Mary error providing the Warriors a 6-0 lead.
The six runs were more than enough for Larsen in the circle. She would finish the game without allowing a run and just six. Larsen finished with eight strikeouts.
GAME TWO
Kleman Strikes Out Ten
Jordyn Kleman started game two for the Warriors and pitched around a pair of walks to keep Mary from scoring in the opening frame. Schultz just missed putting WSU up in the first, hitting a ball just left of the foul pole.
Winona State had a scoring threat in the second inning but could not cash in. Larsen reached second with two down in the third, giving WSU a runner in scoring position for the third straight inning. This time the Warriors scored when Schultz drove in Larsen with a single. Two more runs came home when Ali Nowak's fly ball to center was dropped.
Larsen gave the Warriors a 5-0 lead with a two run homer to right in the bottom of the fifth. Winona State kept scoring in the inning.
Jamee Schleis drove in Van Zyl with an infield single. Next up was O'Herron who hit a sac fly to center, driving in Nowak.
In the shutout victory Kleman stuck out ten and allowed just two hits.
