SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Winona State University fell victim to two monster innings by St. Cloud State on Wednesday night in the first round of the NSIC Tournament in a 23-0 defeat.

Offensively, the Warriors were limited to just four hits, while committing a season-high five errors defensively. Despite the loss, it was just the second time this season that Winona State was shut out in a ballgame.  

SCSU got to WSU starter Aaron Mutter (3-3) early, scoring two runs apiece off of the right-hander in each of the first two innings. Back-to-back Warrior errors in the fifth frame ignited a nine-run rally for the Huskies as the Winona deficit grew to 13-0. Two innings later, St. Cloud State capitalized on two more Winona State errors en route to a 10-run inning which capped the scoring for the night.  

The Warriors were unable to manufacture much of anything off of the SCSU pitching staff. Winona State was never able to bring more than four men to the plate in any inning of the contest against the Huskie staff which ranked fourth in the league this season in ERA (3.85).

Taylor Field came the closest to scoring a run for the Warriors in the seventh inning as he stood on third with two outs after hitting a single to open up the inning, but the senior was stranded. He had two of Winona's four hits in the game.

Head coach Kyle Poock pulled a play out of Major League Baseball's book in the bottom of the eighth inning by letting his senior All-Conference catcher, Field, toe the rubber and successfully record the final three outs.

Winona State falls to 18-22 on the year while St. Cloud advances in the winner's bracket at 29-13.