Fayette, Iowa - It's been over two years since the last time the Upper Iowa Peacocks faced #15 Winona State University on the softball diamond, but the Warriors showed no signs of rust in the rivalry, sweeping UIU 10-1 and 13-1 on the road.
Once again,
Jordyn Kleman and
Liz Pautz partnered to power WSU to back-to-back victories with strong performances in the pitching circle. Combined, the Winona State ( pitching duo conceded only five hits allowed between the two games.
Emilee Erickson also tossed an inning for head coach
Greg Jones and his team, and did not give up a hit in her appearance.
When the Warriors were at the plate, they were equally effective in putting runs on the board, with WSU reaching double-digit territory for the fifth and sixth times this year.
Game One
Jordyn Kleman went the distance in the opening contest at Upper Iowa, striking out nine and only allowing one earned run. The senior from La Crosse Logan High School did not give up a walk on the day, tossing a two-hit gem for the win.
As a team, Winona State accrued 16 hits over just five innings, with
Katie Kolb,
Marissa Mullen and
Abbie Hlas all hitting home runs. The Warrior round-trippers accounted for six of their 12 runs against the UIU starter, Abby McKay.
Libby Neveau added a triple, while Kolb, Mullen,
Sam Keller and
Ann Smolenski all had doubles on the day as well. Smolenski was 3-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI, while Kolb was 3-for-4 in the leadoff spot. The senior from St. Charles had an impressive five RBIs, while scoring twice herself.
For Kleman, she moves to 9-0 on the season and is just three victories away from becoming the all-time wins leader at Winona State.
Game Two
The Warriors hit early and often in game two, scoring five runs in their first inning at-bats.
Katie Kolb scored off of a
Libby Neveau single, followed in quick order when
Sam Keller and Brianna Luiciano touched home plate due to series of errors in the Peacock infield. An Abby Hlas double spotted WSU a 5-0 lead after one inning, providing all the cushion needed for
Liz Pautz to go to work in the circle.
Pautz only walked one in her first three innings, and by the time UIU earned their first hit, a single in the bottom of the third, WSU was up 9-0. The bottom of the fourth was the only frame that saw Upper Iowa earn two hits, a double and single, which combined to provide them their only run of the contest. In her four innings, Pautz struck out three of the 18 UIU batters she face and gave up just three hits.
Emilee Erickson tossed the final inning for Winona State, closing out the Warrior win.
At the plate, Winona State saw several extra base hits, notching four doubles with
Rylee Stout,
Sam Keller,
Teaghen Amwoza and
Abbie Hlas all earning extra bases.
Rylee Stout also hit a home run, a solo shot in the third. Overall, Stout was 2-for-3 in the game, as was
Abbie Hlas. Hlas, a freshman from Adel, Iowa, had a team high four RBI.
Libby Neveau was also 2-for-3 and scored a run.
With the win, Pautz improves to 4-2 as a Warrior starter this season.
Winona State will now look forward to their home opener, when they host Minnesota State - Moorhead on Friday, April 2. First pitch at Alumni Field is set for 1pm.
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
