Winona, Minn. - The Winona State University softball team - ranked 14th in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II poll - will put their unblemished record on the line this weekend, when they compete in the Missouri Western / Hy-Vee Classic, facing five top teams in NCAA Division II ranks over the course of three days.
Head coach
Greg Jones noted, "We are looking forward to getting back out on the field against some elite competition this weekend. This event is always a great early test for every team."
Jones and his 8-0 Warriors have dispatched NCAA Division II foes Southwest Minnesota State, Bemidji State, University of Illinois - Springfield and the University of Missouri - St. Louis, scoring 62 runs so far this season, while only conceding 15. The stellar pitching duo of
Jordyn Kleman and
Liz Pautz have combined to earn the eight wins along the way, with Kleman tossing a no-hitter in a 10-0 shutout of the BSU Beavers on March 3 and Pautz producing a two-hit gem against the UIS Prairie Stars on March 9 among the victories.
Offensively, #14 Winona State has seen game-changing power at the plate from the likes of
Libby Neveau, who hit three home runs and a triple in the WSU mid-week road trip against UIS and UMSL. WSU has benefited from a consistent on-base presence with three Warriors featuring an on-base percentage above .500, with
Sam Keller at .560 and
Alison Nowak at .533. Neveau, Nowak and
Rylee Stout have all reached double-digits in RBIs this year, notching 16, 12 and 10, respectively.
The tournament this weekend will present some new challenges to the Warriors, as they will play five games against five different opponents, rather than the double-header format seen up to this point of the season. Additionally, the Hy-Vee Classic will feature games against with Northwest Missouri (5-3 overall / 0-0 MIAA), Missouri Western (11-1 overall / 2-0 MIAA), Central Oklahoma (12-4 overall / 5-1 MIAA), Northeastern State (12-6 overall / 2-2 MIAA) and Central Missouri (8-2 overall / 2-0 MIAA), a group of opponents that bring a collective 48 - 12 record to the table. UCO is tabbed at #23 in the current NFCA rankings.
Winona State will open up NSIC play on Tuesday, March 30 at Upper Iowa University; the home opener for the Warriors will be on April 2, when they host Minnesota State - Moorhead.
For the most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit: www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH.
About Winona State University Athletics:
The Winona State University Department of Intercollegiate Athletics, as an integral part of the educational mission of the institution, is committed to offering opportunities to experience academic and athletic excellence for our student-athletes through two simple words: Graduate Champions.
Fourteen Warrior programs compete at the NCAA Division II level within the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC). Winona State University competes as an affiliate member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in the sport of women's gymnastics.
Media Contact: Pete Watkins, Director of Athletic Communications | Ph: 507.457.5577 | Email: pwatkins@winona.edu
