WINONA, Minn. - After weather forced the Warriors to open the conference schedule at a neutral site, Winona State finally gets the chance to play on their home turf. Sioux Falls (2-12, 2-2 NSIC) comes to visit the Warriors (2-9, 1-3 NSIC) at Loughery field Thursday and Friday afternoon for a pair of NSIC doubleheaders. The games were moved up from Saturday and Sunday due to potential inclement weather.
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CONFERENCE OPENER: In typical Midwestern spring fashion, the weather forced Winona State to relocate their series against Minot State to Copeland Park in La Crosse, Wisconsin this past weekend. Winona State lost the series three games to one. The Warriors and Beavers showcased some offensive power as the two teams combined to hit 11 home runs in the four-game series. Highlighting the weekend for the Warriors at the plate was Andrew Pliner who batted .500 (8-16) in the series. The sophomore drove in three runs this past weekend while scoring three more and collecting his first colligate home run. Dillon Whittaker got the win for Winona State in the rst game of Sunday's double header. The freshman tossed 5.2 IP while striking out six.
SCOUTING THE COUGARS: Sioux Falls comes into this week's matchup with a 2-2 record in the NSIC after splitting a series with Bemidji Sate where they took games one and three. The Cougars are tied for seventh after the first weekend of conference play. Junior first baseman Josh Rehwaldt leads the Cougars at the plate with a .434 batting average so far in this young season. His mark is currently seventh in the NSIC. Pitcher Dylan Gavin headlines the Cougar staff with a 2.70 ERA in 20.0 IP and sports a .176 opponents' batting average.
GOLD GLOVE DEFENSE: Winona State's .976 fielding percentage is currently at the top of the conference list. The team has also committed a conference-low nine errors at this point in the season.
RETURNING WARRIORS: Sam Kohnle, the Warriors most consistent bat is back in the lineup this season. Kohnle led the team with a .382 batting average last season which was 10th best in the conference. He also sat atop the NSIC's list for fewest strikeouts (6). Aaron Mutter appeared in 12 games for the Warriors last season and made six starts. In those appearances, Mutter collected a 3-5 record over 40.0 IP pitched, striking out 23 batters. Reliever Parker Holmstrom finished last season appearing in 16 games boasting a 3.06 ERA collecting three of the teams four total saves.
HOME SWEET HOME: The Warriors have been comfortable at the friendly confines of Loughery Field in recent years. Since 2010, the team has gone 90-56 (.616) at home and looks to continue that trend as they return home this week.
PRESEASON RANKINGS: Winona State has been picked to finish 10th in the 2018 NSIC baseball preseason coaches' poll after suffering their third straight 30-loss season. Sophomores Sam Kohnle and Aaron Mutter have been named "Players to Watch" this season. Minnesota State was picked to finish atop the conference at season's end collecting 14 rst place votes.
