MINOT, N.D. – The Warrior bats came to life late in both games of No. 8 Winona State's doubleheader sweep of Minot State University on Saturday afternoon. Lani Van Zyl combined to go 7-for-9 with six RBI as Winona State improved to 33-5 (12-2 NSIC) to maintain its first-place conference lead.
The Warriors claimed the opener, 11-5, and Jordyn Kleman blanked the Beavers in the six-inning finale, 8-0. WSU scored 16 of its 19 combined runs from the fourth inning on in the sweep.
Winona State set the tone for the day with a three-run first inning of game one. Katelyn Kolb led off with an infield single and the speedy sophomore scored when Mariah Schultz followed with an RBI-double to deep center field. Two batters later, Schultz scored on a wild pitch and McKenna Larsen made it a 3-0 game with a single to plate Van Zyl.
The Beavers chipped away at their deficit over the next three innings and would tie the game off Larsen in the bottom of the third inning. The Warriors answered with four runs in the top of the fourth and proceeded to score at least one run over the final four frames.
With the game tied, 3-3, Rylee Stout led off the fourth inning with her ninth home run of the season to put Winona back on top. Kolb and Van Zyl each produced two-out run-scoring hits later in the frame to stretch the Warrior lead to 7-3.
Jen Giesey, Jamee Schleis and Samantha McLean each drove in runs over the final three innings to pad Winona's lead in support of Larsen on the mound.
The senior southpaw improved to 11-4 while tossing her 11th complete game of the season. Larsen allowed five runs (four earned) on 10 hits and struck out three over 7.0 IP.
In the finale, Kleman (14-1) posted her sixth shutout of the season. The sophomore struck out nine batters while allowing just two Minot hits. Kleman owns a 1.01 ERA (8 ER/55.0 IP) with 70 strikeouts over her last nine appearances. The right-hander leads the NSIC with 105 punchouts.
Game two remained scoreless through three innings until Larsen notched her first of two RBI in the contest with a single in the top of the fourth frame. Larsen also had a big day at the plate, combing to go 4-for-7 with three RBI in the twinbill. She is currently batting a career-best .423 which is second on the team to only Van Zyl (.452).
Van Zyl went on to regain her lead in the home run column as well – launching her team-best 10th long ball in the fifth inning. Her three-run shot made it a 5-0 affair. Van Zyl's previous career best was six homers as she continues her offensive tear this season. Van Zyl and Larsen each drove in runs in the sixth inning to cap the scoring for the day.
The Warriors will conclude their four-game road trip on Sunday with a doubleheader at the University of Mary. First pitch of the twinbill is slated for 12 p.m.
