WINONA, Minn. – Coming off a historic 53-win season in 2019, No. 18 Winona State University begins its march to Chattanooga, Tennessee (site of the 2020 NCAA DII World Series) on Tuesday with a doubleheader against Grand View University. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. inside the RCTC Dome in Rochester, Minnesota.
The Warriors' 2019 campaign was littered with accolades, including a program-record 31-game winning streak that saw WSU capture back-to-back NSIC Championships for the first time ever while hosting and reaching the final game of the NCAA Central sub-Regional in Winona. Head coach Greg Jones also recorded his 800th career win on the final day of the 2019 season.
Winona State has reached the NCAA Division II Regional in three straight seasons, and 12 of the last 13 years, but has its sights set even hiring in 2020 – looking to reach the World Series for the first time since 2009. Over the last three years, Winona State (150-29) has the most wins and highest winning percentage (.838) among any NSIC team.
However, the slate will be wiped clean on Tuesday as the Warriors embark on their 2020 season.
The Warriors return two of the top pitchers in the country this year with All-Americans Jordyn Kleman and Liz Pautz slated to be the workhorses in the circle.
Kleman, a senior, has helped guide WSU to the Regionals in each of the last three seasons. She has thrown more no-hitters (7) than any other pitcher in program history and is the two-time defending NSIC Pitcher of the Year. Kleman set a new single-season record for wins (29) last season while posting a 1.58 ERA. Her 240 strikeouts ranked eighth in the country in 2019, and she was 11th in the nation in shutouts (9) and hits allowed/7-inn. (4.15). Kleman enters her final season with 68 career wins, needing just 18 more to become the program's all-time leader ahead of current pitching coach Cyndy Jones.
Pautz, a junior, ranked second in the country in 2019 in ERA (0.88) and strikeouts/7-inn. (10.4). She owned a 20-3 record in her first year as a Warrior after transferring to WSU. Pautz totaled 224 strikeouts over 150.1 IP while allowing just 22 extra-base hits last season. She allowed zero or one earned run in 24 of her 29 appearances.
Winona State also returns a stacked lineup, starting at the top with Katie Kolb. The senior leadoff hitter set a new single-season program record for walks (46) last year while posting a .407 OBP. Kolb's on-base ability will set the table for the Warriors' potent heart of the order.
Senior All-American Alison Nowak is coming off a career offensive year where she ranked 10th in the country in total bases (137) and 16th in RBI (61). Named the 2020 NSIC Preseason Player of the Year, Nowak led WSU in homers (14) last year and has batted at least .400 in each of her three previous seasons.
Right behind her in the home run column in 2019 was Alexis Kelsey with 13. The senior first baseman also ranked second on the team a year ago in RBI (56). Kelsey recorded 41 of those RBI during 30 conference games to lead the NSIC.
Other big bats returning for the Warriors include Jen Giesey, Ann Smolenski and Rylee Stout. The trio of juniors combined for 44 extra-base hits and 85 RBI last season. Winona State will also rely on speedsters Kayla Kerkman and Carly Kordich, along with a handful of promising newcomers to keep the line moving in a deep batting order.
Following Tuesday's doubleheader in Rochester, the Warriors have 25 games scheduled before their home opener on Saturday, March 28. That slate includes tournaments in Rosemont, Illinois, Winter Haven, Florida and St. Joseph, Missouri. Winona State is set to open NSIC play on Tuesday, March 24 at Upper Iowa.
