ROCHESTER, Minn. - The Winona State University softball team survived and advanced thanks to some late-game heroics by freshman shortstop
Teaghen Amwoza, while all-time Warrior wins and strikeouts leader
Jordyn Kleman extended her career - and the Winona State season - with a four-hit gem.
Winona State defeated Southwest Minnesota State 2-1, coming back from 1-0 down with a two-run blast by Amwoza in the bottom of the sixth inning. Yesterday, Amwoza was the hero as well, hitting a walk-off single back up the middle in the bottom of the seventh with two outs to score
Alison Nowak and beat the Minot State Beavers 6-5.
On Friday, Amwoza left no doubt as to where the ball was going when she launched SMSU starter Megan Cull's pitch over the left field fence, scoring
Rylee Stout in the process, and allowed the Warriors to take a precious, and precarious, 2-1 lead.
After a leadoff single by SMSU pinch-hitter Molly Bull,
Jordyn Kleman closed the door on any hopes of a Mustang miracle, as she struck out Makena Waldow, snagged a popup bunt for out number two and punched out Bailey Johnson to end the game and start the celebration.
Kleman struck out five Mustangs in the game, while only allowing one walk and one earned run. The only extra-base hit of the day for SMSU accounted for their run, when Jillian Noel doubled in Kali Tomlinson who had reached on a single and advanced on the sacrifice bunt in the fourth.
In addition to Kleman's lights out performance in the circle, fans, families and followers, of NSIC softball were treated to a strong performance by the Mustang's Megan Cull, who held one of the top NSIC offenses mostly in check throughout the game.
Amwoza's round tripper was the only extra-base hit in the game for the Warriors, also WSU threatened in the fifth when singles by
Ann Smolenski and
Katie Kolb, and an
Abbie Hlas walk loaded the bases. Cull worked her way out of the jam in that instance but an inning later, Amwoza solved the pitching puzzle with one swing of the bat.
With the Warrior win, Winona State moves to 35-11 overall and will play again today at 2pm, facing the winner of #1 Augustana University and the University of Minnesota - Duluth.
Jordyn Kleman earns her 22nd win of the year, second-most in the NSIC so far this season.
For the complete 2021 NSIC Softball Tournament Central homepage,
visit this link.
For the most up to date news in Warrior Athletics, please visit:
www.WINONASTATEWARRIORS.com and
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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.
