WINONA, Minn. – Caleb Schoenholz and Winona State University (3-10, 2-4 NSIC) out-pitched the University of Sioux Falls (3-13, 2-4 NSIC) in the Warriors' home opener on Thursday afternoon at Loughrey Field, 3-1. The Cougars bounced back in game two of the twinbill with a decisive 14-0 victory over the Warriors to earn a split on the first day of a four-game series.
Schoenholz (1-2) was dominant on the mound for WSU, firing his first career complete game (7.0 IP) while striking out a career-best eight batters. The sophomore lefthander allowed just three hits over the first six innings and carried a shutout into the final frame before the Cougars finally starched the plate in the seventh inning. Schoenholz has allowed just two earned runs over his last 14.0 IP to go along with 15 strikeouts over his last two starts.
Derek Martin went 2-for-3 at the plate with a solo homer and two RBI.
The Warriors backed Schoenholz with some timely hitting at the plate off of Sioux Falls' best pitcher. With one out in the top of the first, Andrew Pliner doubled to center and the next batter, Sam Kohnle, recorded and RBI-single to stake the home team to an early lead.
Winona State added another run in the fourth inning after Sioux Falls' Dylan Gavin hit two Warriors to put runners on first and second. Martin drove in the second run of the game on a single to center, scoring Chad Herbst.
In the sixth inning, Martin hit his second home run of the season over the left center wall to put the Warriors up 3-0 in the sixth.
Schoenholz faced his toughest challenge in the bottom of the seventh inning as he allowed two Cougars to reach scoring position. With two outs, the Cougars' Anthony Lopez successfully executed a bunt single to break up Schoenholz bid for a shutout. Schoenholz struck out the next batter to finish out the game and get his first win of the season.
The script was flipped in game two as the Cougar bats exploded for 14 runs on 15 hits while Winona's offense was held in check.
Brett Herber (0-4) was charged with the loss after allowing seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits over 3.1 IP.
The Warriors entered the day as the top fielding team in the NSIC, but committed three errors in the loss. Sioux Falls also collected a handful of infield and bloop singles in the ballgame in an uncharacteristically sloppy defensive effort by Winona State.
The Warriors were held to just three hits in the loss as Sioux Falls' Brandon Roesler tossed a complete game shutout.
Winona State and Sioux Falls will take the field for a Friday doubleheader to complete the series beginning at 1:30 p.m.
