ST. CLOUD, Minn. – Winona State University showed it can play with anybody in the league during the first round of the 2019 NSIC Tournament against the regular season champion Augustana Vikings. Less than a month removed from a 10-7 victory over Augie, the eighth-seeded Warriors looked to play spoiler against the top-seeded Vikings Thursday, but ultimately suffered a 4-1 loss.

Reigning NSIC Pitcher of the Week, Aaron Mutter, limited the high-powered Augie offense to three runs on six hits over 6.0 IP. The Vikings scored in each of the first three innings, but Mutter turned in a workman-like performance for his seventh straight quality start.

A solo homer by Tanner Williams put Winona State on the board in the top of the sixth as the sophomore circled the bases for his team-leading seventh time.

However, with the Viking lead cut to 3-1 to lead off the sixth, the Augustana bullpen dashed any hopes of an upset bid. Winona State was held hitless over the final three frames with William's long ball in the sixth inning standing as the final Warrior hit of the ballgame.

Augustana tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth, but the WSU offense could not mount any sort of further comeback. Chad Herbst reached on a one-out walk in the ninth inning to span a stretch of 10 straight Warriors retired by Viking relievers before the final two outs of the tilt were recorded.

Zac Stange reached based twice in the setback, going 1-for-3 with a walk out of the leadoff spot for Winona State.

The Warriors (24-22) will square off against Wayne State College (32-17) on Friday at 11 a.m. in an elimination game. The winner of that contest will play again later in the afternoon.