Winona, Minn. - The Winona State University softball team - currently ranked #21 in the latest NFCA poll - will host a pair of important NSIC doubleheaders this weekend, beginning with Bemidji State University on Saturday, April 17 and the University of Minnesota Crookston (6-20 / 2-10) on Sunday, April 18. WSU is currently 19-6 overall, 8-4 in NSIC play.
The #21 Warriors will see Bemidji State University for the second time this year having played the Beavers early on in non-conference action on March 3.
In that series, Winona state swept the Beavers by scores of 10-0 and 7-5. In the first game on March 3rd Jordan Kleman threw a no-hitter for the Warriors as they blanked Bemidji State in what was the team's first shutout of the 2021 campaign.
When Winona State and head coach
Greg Jones face off against the University of Minnesota Crookston on Sunday, it will be the first time the two teams have met since April 14, 2019. In that NSIC doubleheader, WSU swept the Golden Eagles 12-0 and 3-0 in neutral-site contests at Forest City, Iowa.
With 18 NSIC games left on the schedule, the Warriors are poised to make up some ground in the conference standings over the next two days. Heading into NSIC action this weekend across the conference, Winona State is tied for fourth with Minnesota State – Mankato. Augustana University sits atop the NSIC standings at 11-1 overall, while Minnesota-Duluth is second at 10-2 and Northern State third, with a 9-3 mark.
With the Mavericks scheduled to take on St. Cloud State and the UMD Bulldogs this weekend, fans, families, and followers of NSIC softball will likely have an eye on scores around the league.
Earlier this week, Coach Jones and HBC sports director Justin Barrientos caught up to talk all things Warrior softball.
Watch at this link.
Scouting Bemidji State...
In the circle - Stephi Dullum leads the Beavers with a 6-3 overall record in 13 appearances. She has thrown three complete games and her 62.2 innings pitched this year are almost equal to the next two BSU pitchers, Stella Donlan and Kyla Damerow, who have thrown 38.0 and 39.2 innings, respectively.
At the plate and on the run - Two BSU batters, Emmarie Yeager and Lisa Kossan, have earned batting averages over .300 so far this year. Yeager has yielded 14 hits with two home runs in 43 at-bats, while Kossan's 22 hits include 10 RBI and four doubles. Kossan is also 4-for-4 in stolen base attempts, leading the team.
Extra bases - At 8-18, Bemidji State has been shutout six times this year; however, they also have picked off some top-tier opponents along the way, including a 1-0 whitewash of Missouri Western State and 6-1 victory over Rogers State. At the time, Rogers State was ranked #9 in the country.
Scouting Minnesota - Crookston...
In the circle - Katie Humhej and Sofia Gombos have shared the majority of Golden Eagle innings, with Humhej throwing 67.2 innings heading into the weekend and Gombos 69.1. Kamryn Frisk has also tossed 23.2 innings, earning a save along the way.
At the plate and on the run - Dana Zarn leads Minnesota-Crookston in almost every offensive category. The Winnipeg, Manitoba product is hitting .325 on the year in 77 at-bats with 25 base hits. Her 10 RBI ranks her as the only Golden Eagle at double-digits in that category. She is also 5-for-6 in stolen base attempts, while teammate Gabriella Blomdahl is a perfect 5-for-5.
Extra bases - Winona State is 15-0 against UMC, dating back to April 2, 2011. The Warriors currently have a five-game shutout streak going against the Golden Eagles.
About the Warriors...
In the circle - Jordyn Kleman became the all-times wins leader at Winona State last week, with a 5-1 victory at SMSU. Her 86 wins surpassed current WSU coach
Cyndy Jones. Teammate
Emilee Erickson picked up her first win of the year against the Mustangs when WSU beat SMSU, 2-1 in the second game of the NSIC doubleheader.
Liz Pautz is second on the team in complete games with five and had a season-high strike out tally of 12 against the University of Missouri - St. Louis earlier this year.
At the plate and on the run - Abbie Hlas and
Katie Kolb are at the top of the Warriors lineup in terms of batting average, hitting .426 and .413, respectively. Kolb, the all-time leader in walks earned at Winona State, is 5-for-5 in stolen bases. As a team, WSU is 11-of-13 when they have the green light to steal.
Extra bases - Winona State is the top defensive team in the NSIC at the moment, with a team fielding percentage of .980, while
Libby Neveau is tied for second in the league in RBIs at 29 so far.
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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.
