Winona, Minn. - Coming into this weekend's NSIC baseball three-game series against the Warriors, the Minnesota - Crookston Golden Eagles had not lost nor scored less than ten runs in 2021. After spending 48 hours in Winona, UMC continued that streak at the expense of Winona State, as WSU fell to Minnesota - Crookston 14-9 on Sunday, March 21.
After UMC claimed both contests Saturday with high-powered offensive performances, winning 10-0 and 12-11, Winona State hoped to turn the tables on the Golden Eagles on Sunday and were able to muster their third-highest run total so far this year. As a team, the Warriors scored nine runs on 15 hits, including two triples. WSU also drew six walks and only struck out five times but left 13 runners on base in the loss.
Jake Brill was 2-for-6 as the leadoff hitter for WSU, while
Derek Baumgartner 2-for-3 and had two walks. He scored twice on the day, as did
Sam Kohnle, who was 2-for-4.
Joe Ihrke continued his hot bat, going 3-for-5 and picking up three RBIs.
Winona State struggled on the mound, using seven pitchers in the game.
Dillon Whittaker got start for the Warriors, going three and two-third's innings; he gave up three hits, five earned runs and seven runs overall.
Mitchell Mueller took over in the fourth frame, conceding two runs, both earned.
Josh Gullickson,
Caleb Strack,
Peter Tveite and
Charlie Stenson all made appearances for WSU, combing for three and one-third innings of work.
Justin Firpo was tagged with the loss, tossing one and two-thirds innings, conceding four earned runs.
In the fourth inning, Minnesota-Crookston took advantage of a collection of passed balls and wild pitches, scoring three runs to open up 7-2 advantage. The Golden Eagles also got some long-ball help from Mason Ruhlman and Scott Finberg, who both hit solo home runs in the game. UMC stranded 11 runners but were active on the basepaths, stealing eight times, led by Jake Hjelle with three.
UMC starter Conner Richardson went five full innings, before giving way to Joey Greco who picked up the win. Jackson Scheiner tossed three and two-thirds for the Golden Eagles and did not yield a run.
With the score 14-9, the Warriors rallied late, loading the bases with two outs.
Tanner Williams hit a deep drive to left, hauled in just short of the warning track to end the game.
Winona State will regroup and ready themselves for a mid-week NSIC series when they host Bemidji State on Wednesday, March 24. The double-header at Loughrey Field is set to start at 1:30pm.
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
