ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Maryville University Saints relentless produced 12 hits Saturday afternoon to salvage the series finale on their home field against Winona State University, 4-2. Despite the hit total, the finale was a low-scoring affair after which the Warriors ultimately left St. Louis with a three-game series victory after sweeping on Friday.
In frigid conditions Saturday, that forced Sunday's ballgame to be cancelled, both teams committed errors that allowed unearned runs to cross the plate in the first inning. Zac Stange drew a leadoff walk to open the tilt and later scored on a Saint's error. Maryville got the run right back in the bottom of the frame compliments a WSU miscue.
Nick Nalewanski led off the second with a single and Derek Martin followed with a walk to put the Warriors right back in position to reclaim the lead. Nathan Loomis followed with a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt to move both runners over. Stange walked to load the bases and two batters later Sam Kohnle drew a bases-loaded walk to drive in the go-ahead run. The inning came to an end though with the bases still full of Warriors and the Saints took advantage of the missed opportunity.
Maryville bounced right back to take a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the second after loading the bases as well against Dillon Whittaker and successfully cashing in a pair of runs.
Winona State threatened to tie the game once again in the third after Andrew Pliner was hit by a pitch, stole second base and advanced to third on a Saint error. However, the Warriors again stranded the runner in scoring position.
Maryville added the game's final tally in the fifth frame with a two-out single to extend its lead to 4-2.
Trailing by a pair of runs entering the sixth inning, the Warrior offense went cold and was sat down in order for the remainder of the afternoon.
Kohnle reached base three times and drove in both WSU runs on Saturday.
Whittaker (1-1) allowed four runs (three earned) over 6.0 IP with five strikeouts. The sophomore right-hander scattered 11 hits but was able to elude damage for the majority of his outing. Jacob Watzka tossed two innings of one-hit ball to close the game.
Winona State falls to 3-2 on the young season while Maryville improves to 2-9.
The Warriors should not have to endure adverse weather conditions over their next six games as they will play in Florida from March 7-12. Winona State's first game of the trip is scheduled against Tiffin University on Thursday, March 7 at 1:30 p.m.
