SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Winona State (47-9) started the 2017 NSIC Tournament with a 9-4 victory over Sioux Falls (30-27). The Warriors held off a couple challenges by the Cougars and a grand slam by Lani Van Zyl in the fifth secured the victory.
 
The Cougars nearly struck first, loading the bases two outs in the top of the first. McKenna Larsen got a ground out to short to keep Sioux Falls off the scoreboard. The Warriors would string together a two-out rally in the bottom of the first to take a two run lead. Van Zyl and Mariah Schultz had back-to-back singles and then Alison Nowak drew a walk to load the bases. Shaye Witte hit a ball through the right side, driving in both Schultz and Van Zyl.
 
The Warriors lead grew to three in the second when a USF error allowed Samantha McLean to score from second. Sioux Falls got within a run in the top of the third, scoring two runs on a two out double to left field.
 
In the bottom of the fourth Winona State retook a three-run lead. Larsen drove in McLean with a sac fly to right field giving WSU a 4-2 lead. Katelyn Kolb scored on an error to push the WSU lead to 5-2. The Warriors had a chance to break the game open but left the bases loaded.
 
Sioux Falls countered in the top of the fifth with a two-run homer to left center. Winona State loaded the bases with two down in the bottom of the inning, looking to get those two runs back. They did even better as Van Zyl put a ball over the fence in left for a grand slam, giving WSU a 9-4 lead.
 
Jordyn Kleman would finish off the Cougars in the final two innings of the game and the Warriors advanced to take on Augustana tomorrow at 12 p.m. Larsen would earn the win, while Kleman picked up her second save of the season. Van Zyl finished with two hits and four RBIs.