WINONA-Minn. – Freshman Zac Stange delivered a walkoff RBI-single for Winona State University to cap a doubleheader sweep, ending a 13-inning marathon, while clinching a series win for the Warriors over Sioux Falls at Loughrey Field on Friday night.
Winona State defeated Sioux Falls in the opener on Friday afternoon, 5-1, before the Warriors outlasted the Cougars in extra innings in the finale, 4-3.
Jacob Watzka (1-0) turned in a career effort out of the WSU bullpen in the nightcap, allowing just two hits over 7.0 IP while striking out 11 batters for the win on the mound.
Derek Martin sparked the game-winning rally in the 13th inning by drawing a leadoff walk. Nick Nalewanski followed with an opposite-field single to put runners on the corners, and two batters later Stange drove a 1-1 pitch to center field to complete the Warrior sweep.
Winona State opened the ballgame with three runs in the bottom of the first, chasing the Cougars' starter from the mound before he even recorded a single out. Five straight Warriors reached base in the frame with Andrew Pliner's RBI-double breaking the scoring seal in the finale. Taylor Field added an RBI-single and Martin's sac fly off the Sioux Falls' reliver gave the home team a 3-0 lead before the inning came to an end.
Austin Savary earned a no decision for WSU in his longest outing of the season (6.0 IP). The freshman southpaw didn't allow a runner past second base until his fifth inning of work. The Cougars finally chased Savary from the mound with a three-spot in the sixth inning. Sioux Falls rallied to tie the game with four hits in the frame – three of which never left the infield.
Dillon Whittaker (2-0) was the winning pitcher in game one. The freshman allowed just one run on seven hits over 5.0 IP while striking out six batters.
The Warriors got to Sioux Falls' hurler Stuart Maes to open the scoring in the bottom of the third inning. With two outs and Pliner standing on first base, Winona State put together a four-run rally on four hits to chase the Cougar starter from the game. Field, Tanner Williams and Chad Herbst each drove in runs to give the Warriors a 4-0 advantage.
In the top of the fifth, Whittaker surrendered the lone Cougar run in the game but shut the door on an impending Sioux Falls' rally as he would strand the bases loaded.
Nicolas Herold relieved Whittaker for the final two innings to notch his second save of the season.
The Warriors added another run in the bottom of the sixth on a Nathan Loomis single to account for the final 5-1 victory.
Winona State improves to 5-15 (4-4 NSIC) with the three games to one series win while Sioux Falls drops to 3-15 (3-5 NSIC).
The Warriors are slated to continue conference play on Tuesday with a twinbill at Minnesota State Mankato. Stay tuned to WinonaStateWarriors.com for potential scheduled changes due to impending weather.
