ABERDEEN, S.D. – Winona State (44-9, 25-3 NSIC) swept Northern State (28-23-1, 13-14-1 NSIC) on Saturday, thanks in large part to an eight-inning no-hitter by
McKenna Larsen. In the first game of the day Larsen did not allow a hit and the Warriors won 1-0 in extra innings. In the second game of the day the Warriors picked up a 3-1 victory.
GAME ONE
Larsen Throws No-Hitter in Extra Inning Win
It was not until the top of the fourth when either team put a runner in scoring position.
Mariah Schultz drew a two-out walk and stole second before being stranded there. Winona State had a great chance to score in the fifth thanks to back-to-back bunt singles to start the inning by
Shaye Witte and
Jamee Schleis. With two outs Schleis would get to third but was stranded there after a fly out to left field.
Northern State would get a runner to second in the bottom of the fifth but
McKenna Larsen would keep the runner from scoring.
The top of the eighth did not look promising early as two quick outs put WSU behind the eight ball. Larsen singled to left to start the two-out rally.
Megan McCabe pinch ran and reached second following a single by
Lani Van Zyl. After Schultz drew a walk to load the bases
Allyson O'Herron pinch hit and drew a walk, putting Winona State up 1-0. Larsen returned to the circle in the bottom of the eighth and put down the Wolves in order to complete the win.
GAME TWO
Second Inning Runs Enough For Warriors
The Warriors only needed two innings to get on the board in the second game of the day. Witte,
Paige Keegan and O'Herron all singled to load the bases with no outs.
Samantha McLean drove in Witte and Keegan with her single to left, giving WSU a 2-0 lead. The third run of the inning scored when Schultz drew a two-out, bases loaded walk.
The Wolves finally got to starter
Jordyn Kleman in the fifth, scoring a run on a two-out single to left field. It would be all Kleman would allow as she finished the game with six strikeouts and allowed just four hits.
Winona State finishes up the regular season with a doubleheader against Minnesota State-Moorhead tomorrow afternoon at 12 p.m.
