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Box Score 2 Springfield, Mo. - The Winona State University baseball team got their weekend road trip to the Show Me state off to a strong start, outlasting host Drury University 7-6 in a ten inning game.
The Warriors rallied late to force the extra inning, as
Joe Ihrke's solo homer in the top of the ninth tied the game at six apiece, after the two teams traded runs throughout the game. Winona State scored three runs in the fourth inning to knot the teams at 3-3; WSU and Drury then both scored twice in the fifth. After nine innings, it was bonus baseball for the squads as they sat on a 7-7 tie. Ihrke's solo shot in the ninth set the table for some extra stanza heroics, and when Derek Baumgatrner singled home
Austin Savary, WSU found themselves on a narrow, one-run advantage at 8-7.
In the bottom of the tenth, the Warriors needed an unusual double play to kill a late DU rally. After securing the first out of the inning on a strikeout, Drury attempted a hit-and-run on a two-strike pitch. Winona State reliever
Nicolas Herold earned the strikeout and in the ensuing stolen base attempt, Drury's batter was called for interference during the play, rendering the Panther runner out at second and ending the game.
The win was a fitting finish to a strong outing by
Kyle Gendron, who went nine innings, scattering 11 hits and giving up seven runs, all earned. Gendron struck out eight, faced 42 batters total and pushed his record to 2-0 on the yar. Herold earned the save, coming on in the tenth to close the door, striking out two and walking one.
Offensively, Baumgartner was 3-for-5 with three RBIs to lead his team, while
Tanner Williams had two hits and two RBIs.
Sam Kohnle also had a pair of hits;
Derek Martin scored three of the eight Warrior runs on the day.
After dispatching Drury 7-6 in extra innings, Winona State was unable to get their offense going in a second game against Maryville (Mo.) University, falling 4-1 to the Saints.
Winona State saw two Warriors go 2-for-4 at the plate with
Cooper Kapanke and
Dane Weiland both collecting a pair of hits; Weiland had the lone RBI in the game for WSU. As a team, the Warriors mustered just seven hits, and suffered 14 strikeouts against the MU pitching staff.
Dillon Whittaker started on the mound for head coach
Kyle Poock, going six full innings and facing 24 batters. Whittaker collected six strikeouts while walking four, and was tagged with the loss.
Justin Firpo came on in relief for the final two innings. A two-run bottom of the fourth proved to be the difference for Maryville, who tacked on an insurance run in the sixth as well.
The Warrior road trip will conclude tomorrow, Sunday March 7, with another Warriors - Saints game, scheduled for noon.
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
