WINONA, Minn. – Winona State University softball is not done. The Warriors were tripped up in their attempt to advance cleanly to the NCAA Division II Central Region 2 Championship Game on Friday afternoon by Augustana University, but staved off elimination later that night to set up a rematch on Saturday with Augie.
Winona State struggled to the get the bats going against Augustana in a 4-0 setback, before bouncing back with a 5-2 victory to eliminate Missouri Western State.
The Warriors will need a pair of wins on Saturday to advance to the NCAA Super Regional while the Augustana Vikings are just one win away.
Playing as the visitors on their home turf of Maynard R. Johnson Field in the opener, Winona State was limited to just two hits by a trio of Viking pitchers. The Warriors had a golden opportunity to score in the top of the second inning after a leadoff double by Alison Nowak, but three quick outs followed to end the scoring threat and the WSU offense was able to produce just one more hit for the remainder of the tilt.
In the circle, Liz Pautz was equally as sharp through the first two frames, holding the potent Viking offense to just one hit before Augustana tagged her for the game's first run while scattering three hits in the third frame.
The Warriors put another runner in scoring position in the top of the fourth on a pair of walks, but again came up empty in the inning before Augie delivered a three-run blow in the bottom half of the frame.
Pautz (20-3) suffered her first loss since March 23rd, ultimately falling victim to a lack of run support. The sophomore right-hander allowed four runs on nine hits over 6.0 IP while striking out eight batters. Pautz continues to rank in the top two among all Division II pitchers in ERA (0.68) and Ks/7-inn. pitched (10.4).
Suddenly facing elimination in the nightcap, the Warrior bats flashed glimpses of life but had nothing to show for their six hits over the first four innings of a scoreless affair against Missouri Western.
In the circle, Jordyn Kleman dominated the Griffons through the first four frames. The two-time NSIC Pitcher of the Year, and 2019 D2CCA Central Region Pitcher of the Year, allowed just one hit and struck out seven of the first nine batters she faced.
In the top of the fifth inning, Missouri Western broke through against the junior hurler for the first run of the win-or-go-home game. The Griffons threated to hang a crooked number on the board against Kleman, but the veteran right-hander escaped further damage by stranding a pair of runners in scoring position with only one out.
With the Warriors trailing by a run, and the collective WSU fanbase on the edge of their seats, the offense was seemingly unfazed by the do-or-die scenario they found themselves in, despite having left the bases loaded twice already in the contest. And, just as they have done all season long in their record-breaking campaign, the Warriors answered the call.
Despite what seemed like mounting pressure, Nowak said after the game, "We're always confident. Even when we didn't break through (against Augustana), we try to maintain a good approach (at the plate) and know the results will show."
Lani Van Zyl sparked the Warriors' fifth inning rally with a one-out double and the ever-calm Nowak smacked the first pitch she saw right back up the middle for a game-tying single. As the home crowd collectively breathed a sigh of relief, the offense refused to let up. Alexis Kelsey and Ann Smolenski each followed with singles to load the bases before Rylee Stout registered the fourth straight single of the frame to make it a 2-1 game. Jen Giesey followed with a two-run double as the WSU lead swelled to 4-1.
Kleman got right back to work in the circle in the top of the sixth, retiring the Griffons in order before Smolenski tacked on an RBI-double in the bottom half of the inning. Missouri Western didn't go down without a fight, cutting its deficit to 5-2 with a solo homer in the top of the seventh, but Kleman promptly slammed the door.
For a pitcher who has already assaulted the program record book, and has one season left to play, Kleman struck out 12 batters while turning in perhaps her most clutch outing to date considering the circumstances. After the game she said, "I was just happy to be able to come through for my teammates. I knew the offense would get going (like always). I was able to hit my spots tonight and wanted to work quick innings to get the offense back on the field."
With their program-record tying 52nd win, the Warrior successfully extend their season to at least one more day where the winner of the Central Region 2 Bracket will be decided.
"After the streak, after the conference championship, we were constantly 'the hunted'," head coach Greg Jones said after the game, who is sitting on 799 career wins. "I told (the team), I finally feel like we have a chance to go out tomorrow, on our home field, and go out and play with nothing to lose. We just need to relax, enjoy the game, and have fun playing."
No. 6 Winona State (52-8) and No. 15 Augustana University (53-9) will square off for the sixth time this season, and fourth time in the last seven days on Saturday afternoon in Winona. The Warriors will look to make it seven total matchups by pushing the "if necessary" game which is slated for 3:30 p.m.
