St. Joseph, MO - Undefeated no more. Liz Pautz and the Winona State Warriors took on their toughest test of the season on Saturday, facing No. 9 Rogers State in a battle of top 15 teams. Despite a phenominal pitching performance by Pautz, WSU would fall to the Hillcats 3-2 in extra innings. Winona State didn't dwell on that loss for long, however, as they turned around and dismantled Northwest Missouri State 8-0 in five innings.

After the Saturday split the Warriors move to 10-1 on the season, while Rogers State moves to 11-5 and Northwest Missouri State falls to 5-5.

Game 1

The Warriors struck first against the Hillcats, with Alison Nowak doubling home Katie Kolb to put WSU up 1-0 after the opening inning.

Following two Hillcat runs in the bottom of the third, Rylee Stout tied things up in the top of the fourth with a sac fly to score Libby Neveau.

Neither pitcher allowed a run over the final three innings of regulation and the teams went into extra innings tied at 2 apiece. After Winona State went down 1-2-3 in the top of the eighth, Rogers State used a single through the right side to plate the winning run and give WSU their first loss of the season.

Katie Kolb went 2-for-3 with a run scored in the loss.

Liz Pautz (3-1) may have taken the loss for the Warriors, but she didn't go down without a fight. The senior pitcher struck out seven while allowing just two earned runs in her 7.1 innings of work. Andrea Morales (6-2) got the win for the Hillcats.

Game 2

Following a scoreless first inning for both teams, Teaghen Amwoza hit a bases loaded single to give the Warriors the only run they'd really need all game. Just two batters later Katie Kolb would hit an RBI single to score Briana Luciano and make it 2-0 after two innings of play.

Winona State broke things open in the bottom of the fourth, tacking on five insurance runs in the inning. Following a bases loaded walk to score Amwoza, senior Alison Nowak hit a 3 RBI triple to bring home three Warriors and make it a six run lead. On the very next at-bat, Libby Neveau hit a single to score Nowak and make it 7-0 in favor of the Warriors.

The seniors struck again in the bottom of the fifth, as Nowak doubled home Kolb to give Winona State an eight-run lead and the win after five innings of play.

Senior Jordyn Kleman (7-0) phenominal as usual, striking out five without giving up a run or a walk in four innings of work. 

Nowak led the Warriors with four RBI's on 2-for-4 hitting.

Katie Kolb was phenomenal on the day, going 5-for-6 at the plate with three runs scored and an RBI. Nowak's five RBI's were tops for Winona State. 

WSU will close out the Hyvee classic with two games against Missouri opponents tomorrow. Winona State opens their day against Missouri Southern State and closes the tournament out with a second matchup against the host Missouri Western State. First pitch for the opening game is set for noon, with the MWSU game to follow. 

For the most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit: www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and @WinonaStateATH.

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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