SEARCY, Ark. – Winona State (50-12) stayed alive in Harding Regional, beating Missouri Western State (38-20) 7-3 in the first of two elimination games for the Warriors on the day. The Warriors will face Southern Arkansas for the second time, when they meet at 4:30 p.m. in the final game of the day. The winner will advance to battle Harding in the Regional Championship on Sunday. It was the 700^th career win for Greg Jones, who has now guided the Warriors to two, 50 win seasons.
 
Winona State started fast scoring a pair of runs in the opening inning. With a pair of outs and McKenna Larsen at first the Warriors started a rally. Mariah Schultz was hit by a pitch moving Larsen to second. Alison Nowak drove in Larsen with a single to center field. Schultz would come home on the next at-bat thanks to a Griffon error.
 
After a scoreless second inning Winona State exploded for five runs in the top of the third. Lani Van Zyl drew a walk to start the inning. After a lineout Nowak singled to left center, advancing Van Zyl to third. Jamee Schleis drew a walk to load the bases following a fly out. Allyson O'Herron came through for WSU with two outs, driving in both Nowak and Van Zyl with a single through the left side. Samantha McLean doubled to left center driving in Schleis. The final two runs scored on a Katelyn Kolb's single to right center, driving in McLean and O'Herron.
 
Missouri Western State responded with a pair of runs but WSU still led by five after the third inning. The Griffons were able to get on the board in the sixth, scoring one run and cutting the Warriors lead to four. Larsen did not allow Missouri Western State to do anything in the seventh as the Warriors earned the 7-3 win.
 
The Warriors has 12 hits against the Griffons. Kolb was 4-4 in the game to lead Winona State.