WINONA, Minn. -- The Winona State University softball team, ranked #23 in the most recent National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) poll, had two standouts honored recently with NFCA Division II All-Region awards, as the team prepares to open the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) postseason tournament.
Winona State starting pitcher
Jordyn Kleman and freshman infielder
Abbie Hlas were both named to the
NFCA Division II Central Region Second Team, as announced on Wednesday, May 12.
Kleman, a senior who has re-written the Warrior record books in her time at WSU, and Hlas, a stalwart at second base for head coach
Greg Jones, both were key components of the Warriors success during the 2021 regular season. Both student-athletes were named to the
2021 NSIC All-Conference First Team earlier this week, in addition to their NFCA honors. For Kleman, the NFCA award marks the third consecutive season in which she has earned NFCA All-Region notoriety. As a freshman, Hlas' honor marks her first time receiving the NFCA award; Hlas was the only first-year player named to the NSIC All-Conference First-Team as well.
On Thursday, May 13, Winona State will look to continue their season as they enter play in the 2021 NSIC Softball Tournament, held in Rochester, Minn. The Warriors will open with St. Cloud State in a noon game at the RYFSA Complex. At 33-10 overall and 22-8 in the NSIC, the Warriors will be working to replicate the success against the Huskies (26-14 / 15-11 NSIC) they achieved in April, when WSU swept SCSU on the road by 5-4 and 3-1 scorelines.
Although a 2020 NSIC Tournament was not held due to the COVID-19 pandemic, recent history has had Winona State in high esteem for the NSIC postseason, with the Warriors advancing to the championship game in 2019, 2018 and 2017. The 2018 edition saw the Warriors win in dramatic fashion, as McKenna Larsen drilled a walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh inning for the victory and NSIC Tournament honors.
For fans, families, and followers of Warrior softball, the 2021 NSIC Softball Tournament starts today, as Winona State takes on St. Cloud State University.
Recently HBC Sports director Justin Barrientos caught up with Coach Jones to discuss the Warriors impressive outgoing senior class, the upcoming NSIC postseason, and more.
Head here to view the interview.
The 2021 NSIC Softball Tournament page, with brackets, times, live stream links, and more, is at this link.
To view the complete 2021 NSIC Softball All-Conference Teams release, please visit here.
For the full 2021 NFCA All-Region Teams release, go to this 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.
