SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – No. 8 Winona State University had to rally in the finale of its twinbill on Thursday to avoid a sweep at the hands of the University of Sioux Falls. The Warriors erased a 1-0 deficit in the seventh inning to prevail with a 5-2 win in nine innings of the nightcap.

Sioux Falls walked off on the Warriors with a 4-3 win in the opener.

Ann Smolenski and Alison Nowak each tagged solo homers in game one, but the Warriors found themselves trailing 3-2 heading into their last at-bats in the top of the seventh.

A Cougar error allowed Katelyn Kolb to reach base to lead off the seventh inning and the resilient Warriors tied the game with two-single single by McKenna Larsen. Winona State's rally wouldn't hold up though as Sioux Falls answered with a game-winning walkoff single in the bottom half of the seventh.

Larsen (8-3) suffered her first loss in the circle since February 23rd.

Winona State was shut out through the first six innings of the finale and again trailed by one run entering the seventh frame.

Jen Giesey led off the inning with a double and moved to third on a single by Kristina Ahlers. Two batters later, Mariah Schultz provided the game-tying hit to score Giesey and eventually send the game to extra innings.

The Warriors had chances to score throughout the contest as they scattered 12 hits in the game, but left 11 runners stranded. Finally, in the top of the ninth, the Winona offense strung together timely hits to take the lead for good.

Nowak, Larsen and Rylee Stout each drove in runs in the five-hit inning with the latter putting the Warriors in front 5-1 on a two-run single.

Sioux Falls threatened in the bottom of the inning, plating one run, but Jordyn Kleman (9-1) wouldn't be denied the victory. The sophomore allowed two runs on six hits over 9.0 IP while striking out five. Kleman is now tied with Larsen with eight complete games this season.

Winona State (24-4, 3-1 NSIC) completes its week with a doubleheader against Southwest Minnesota State on Friday.