MAUSTON, Wis. – Winona State University's Sam Kohnle provided the clutch hit and exclamation point in a series sweep of Southwest Minnesota State University Saturday afternoon at Woodside Sports Complex. The Warriors edged the Mustangs in both ballgames by scores of 3-2 and 6-5 with Kohnle's walk-off ending the finale.
The junior first baseman also came up big in game one with his lone hit of the affair leading to the game-winning RBI opportunity for Austin Savary in the third inning. In the nightcap, Kohnle recorded a season-high three RBI.
Winona State held a 5-4 lead through the late innings of the nightcap after playing most of the game locked in a 3-3 tie. SMSU roughed up WSU starter Dillon Whittaker in the first, scoring three early runs but the right-hander settled down after that only allowing two hits over his next six innings of work.
SMSU made things interesting in the eighth mustering up a rally on reliever Parker Holmstrom (2-0) who hit two straight batters to force in the tying run. Holmstrom came back strong in his second inning in relief of Whittaker setting the Mustangs down in order to build momentum for the offense's walk-off win.
The Warriors played small ball in the bottom of the ninth to set up Kohnle's heroics. Nathan Loomis walked to lead off the inning and moved into scoring position on a sac bunt by Zac Stange. Two batters later, SMSU put a fresh arm on the mound to face Tanner Williams who nearly ended the game, but his screaming liner to left found the glove of the left fielder. Kohnle then stepped to the plate and roped the second pitch he saw into right field to chase home Loomis for the victory.
In the noon game, both offenses scored a pair in the second inning. SMSU strung together four singles in the frame to plate two runs off the eventual winning pitcher, Caleb Schoenholz (3-0). The Warriors quickly answered with a pair of their own on RBI-doubles by Andrew Pliner and Nick Nalewanski to even the score.
Winona State took the lead for good in the third inning when Savary singled home Williams for a 3-2 advantage.
The Warrior bullpen closed the door on any chance of an SMSU comeback when Jacob Watzka and Nicolas Herold each pitched an inning combining for four strike outs.
Herold recorded his NSIC-leading fifth save of the season today.
Winona State's pitching staff struck out 13 Mustangs combined in the twinbill.
Winona State improves to 11-8 (5-3 NSIC) with the sweep while SMSU falls to 2-11 (1-7 NSIC).
The Warriors are scheduled to play a home doubleheader against Minot State on Wednesday and have a three-game weekend series slated in Crookston. Updates on those games and locations will be announced as they become available.
