ST. PAUL, Minn. – Winona State University rallied for five unanswered runs in game two of a doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Concordia-St. Paul to settle for a split after the Golden Bears stole game one of the four-game series at Bob Barnes Field.
Aaron Mutter gave the Warriors a quality start in game one, but it wasn't enough as the Golden Bears came away with a 2-1 win in the opener before Winona State flipped the script in the finale for an 8-6 win in 11 innings.
Mutter (3-2) and Concorida's Josh Gaworski were locked in a pitcher's duel in game one before a solo homer by the Golden Bears produced the game-winning run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Winona's sophomore right-hander allowed just two runs on six hits over 6.0 IP in the tough-luck loss.
The Warriors staked Mutter to an early 1-0 lead with an RBI-single from Sam Kohnle in the top of the first and WSU held a one-run advantage until Concordia tied the game with a two-out run-scoring hit in the bottom of the fifth.
The teams only combined for 11 hits in the opener with Winona being limited to a pair of singles over the final four innings.
In the finale, the Warriors took the early lead once more as Tanner Williams drove in the game's first run for the Warriors in the top of the first.
Winona State added another in the forth as Nathan Loomis drove in Williams to take a two-run lead. Concordia plated a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth as the game turned into a back-and-forth affair.
The fifth frame was a carbon copy of the fourth. Williams continued his big day with an RBI-single to put WSU back in front in the top of the frame, 3-2, before the Golden Bears connected on a two-run homer to retake a 4-3 lead. CSP added two more in the seventh looking to close out a sweep on the first day of the series.
Loomis' bat stayed hot though as he drove in a pair on a double to right center field to spark the Warriors' three-run rally in the eighth. Zac Stange followed suit with a two-bagger of his own, tying the game at 6-6 and eventually forcing extra innings.
In the 11th frame, Andrew Pliner singled to left to lead off the inning. Kohnle then beat out a sacrifice bunt attempt to put runners on first and second. With Taylor Field up to bat, Golden Bear pitcher Connor Hurley balked to put two runners in scoring position for the Warriors. Field poked a single into left on the 0-1 pitch scoring Pliner who would prove to be the winning run. Two batters later, Mitchell Heid singled home Kohnle to add an insurance run.
Jacob Watzka (2-1) set the Golden Bears down in order in the bottom of the 11th to secure the Winona victory. Watzka tossed three scoreless innings out of the Warriors bullpen for the win.
Loomis concluded game two with a season-high three RBI.
Winona State looks to win the series tomorrow afternoon as the Warriors take on the Golden Bears in a Sunday doubleheader scheduled for noon.
