Winona, Minn. - With impending poor weather slated for Wednesday, the Winona State University softball doubleheader against #20 Minnesota State - Mankato has been moved to Tuesday, April 6, with a first pitch scheduled for 2pm.
The Mavericks will travel to #13 Winona State as the two teams face off for the first time since May 4, 2019, when the Warriors defeated Minnesota State 4-0 in the NSIC Softball postseason tournament. On the day,
Liz Pautz pitched a four-hit complete game shutout, striking out eight and walking none.
In 2021, Winona State will look to carry the momentum of their seventh-inning heroics against Northern State from this past weekend into the tilt with the Mavericks. This past Saturday, the Warriors battled from behind to score four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, with back-to-back home runs buoying the WSU scoreline at the most opportune time.
With the prospect of a rare NSIC sweep at home facing the Warriors, Riley Stout went yard with
Katie Kolb and
Abbie Hlas on board to tie the contest at 9-9. Stout's stellar shot had not stopped rolling by the time
Libby Neveau also hit a solo homer in the exact same spot to stake the Warriors the 10-9 advantage heading into the seventh inning.
Jordyn Kleman came on in relief of
Abbie Hlas in the top of the seventh, striking out the side to earn a save, and crediting Hlas with the win.
Minnesota State-Mankato is 13-4 overall and 2-2 in NSIC play. The Mavericks have split their last two series, going 1-1 against both Minot State and the University of Mary in contests played at Mankato on April 2 and April 3.
While WSU is coming off an exciting positive end to their final game of the weekend, Minnesota State saw UMary single in the game-winning run in the top of the eighth inning on Saturday, and were unable to respond in their half of the stanza, falling 5-4 to the Marauders.
Most recently and notably:
Winona State is 3-1 in their last four contests, sweeping Minnesota State - Crookston and splitting with Northern State University. Notably, the Warriors had not lost at home since May 11, 2019 when they fell 3-2 to Augustana in the 2019 NCAA Regional Tournament.
Minnesota State - Mankato is 2-2 in their last two series. Seven of their 13 wins have come at home so far this year. Notably, the Mavericks went 4-0 at the Missouri Western Hy-Vee Classic in March.
In the circle:
For Winona State, Senior
Jordyn Kleman is one win away from tying Cyndy Schubbe for the all-time career wins mark, as Schubbe earned 85 victories between 1999-2002. Also,
Liz Pautz is currently is one of two pitchers who are 15th all-time in wins in the Warrior record book, with her 29 career victories tied with Karen Serum who competed for WSU between 1985-1987.
The Mavericks are paced by Mackenzie Ward with an 8-2 record and impressive 1.02 ERA; teammate McKayla Armburster is 5-1 on the year with two complete games to her credit.
At the plate:
Winona State is led by
Katie Kolb, who is hitting .434 across 19 games. She is also 4-for-4 on the base paths in terms of steals.
Abbie Hlas is hitting .381, while
Libby Neveau has six home runs to lead the Warriors.
Sam Keller is batting .373.
The Mavericks are led by Torey Richards, batting .446, while Hannah McCarville leads MSU-Mankato in home runs (3) and and RBIs (19).
Extra innings:
When the #20 Mavericks and #13 Warriors face off, it will be one day prior to the newest NFCA weekly poll, due out on Wednesday, April 7. NSIC foe Augustana University is the only other NSIC team in the rankings, sitting at #2 nationally with a 17-3 overall record.
Game Day Resources:
Watch on the
NSIC Network
Follow along on
Live Stats
More Warrior info at the
Winona State Softball page
Learn more about the Mavericks at the
MSU-Mankato Softball page.
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.
