header
WSU's Joe Irhke (5) at bat in a game against Minnesota-Crookston earlier this year [Photo: Mason Rebarchek]
4
Winner Minnesota State MSU 32-7
1
Winona State WSU 22-18
Winner
Minnesota State MSU
32-7
4
Final
1
Winona State WSU
22-18
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
Minnesota State MSU 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 9 2
Winona State WSU 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 4 2

W: Denk, Collin (8-0) L: Whittaker, Dillon (2-4) S: Even, Hunter (9)

Game Recap: Baseball | | Pete Watkins

Mavericks edge Warriors in regular season finale

WSU awaits NSIC postseason pairings

WINONA, Minn. -- The Winona State University baseball program knew their final regular season series against #15 Minnesota State would be a good test of the team as they head into the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) postseason.

Saturday's single 9-inning contest against the Mavericks provided an opportunity to measure themselves against one of the best in the NCAA Division II ranks, as well as honor ten seniors who helped the program earn a NSIC postseason opportunity. 

Seniors Tate Hovden, Jacob Huebsch, Joe Ihrke, Sam Kohnle, Nathan Loomis, Derek Martin, Nathan Santos, Austin Savary, Zac Stange and Tanner Williams were recognized prior to Saturday's first pitch.  The ten Warriors were integral in helping WSU return to the conference playoffs for the second successive time in their careers, as Winona State also qualified for the NSIC tournament in 2019. 

Coming off a split the day before, having bested MSU 3-1 in game one and falling in the nightcap, 5-1, the Warriors battled against some of the top pitching in the league. When the dust settled on Saturday, Winona State was on the wrong end of a 4-1 scoreline, but head into the weekend awaiting their postseason assignment after finishing the regular season 22-18 overall and 19-16 in NSIC play. 

For Winona State, Dillon Whittaker got the start against the Mavericks and put in a strong five and one-third innings of work on the Warrior mound.  Whittaker racked up four strikeouts, walked two and gave up just one earned run.  Mitchell Mueller took over in the sixth inning with two runners on base, and rose to the challenge, striking out the first two batters he faced to help defuse a potential MSU rally.  Mueller closed out the game for WSU, going three and two-thirds innings, allowing only one hit and striking out four. 

MSU made the most of an outfield miscue in the first inning, scoring on a dropped fly ball and then adding a second run on a seeing-eye single to right field.  With the 2-0 advantage out of the gate, the Maverick's Collin Denk went to work against the Warriors, carrying one of the league's best ERA's (1.47) into the fray. 

Minnesota State added two more runs in the third inning, with Joey Werner reaching on a single, stealing second and then scoring when Ross Indlecoffer drove him home.  MSU added their fourth, and final, run on a deep double to left center.  

Maverick pitching proved tough to penetrate on the day, as the MSU starter went five frames, allowing just three hits while striking out five Warriors.  Denk did not concede a walk and added to his league-leading win total with his eighth victory of the year.  Jack Zigan took on the middle reliever role for MSU, throwing three innings, giving up the only Warrior run when Sam Kohnle's sacrifice fly plated Nick Herbst. Hunter Even closed out the game and picked up his ninth save, currently the top save mark in the NSIC.

For Winona State, Nick Herbst was 2-for-4 at the plate with a run scored, while Sam Kohnle continued his hot bat with the RBI as well as a single in the bottom of the fourth frame.  Kohnle's 51 hits on the season see him tied for seventh currently in the league, while his dozen doubles are fifth-best in the NSIC. Zac Stange also had a base hit in the game.

Winona State closes out the regular season with a 22-18 overall record.  Their 19-16 NSIC mark has earned the program a berth in the NSIC postseason, with final opponent, site, and times yet to be determined. 

As noted on the 2021 NSIC Baseball Tournament page, the conference postseason will begin on May 13-14 with a best of three game series hosted by the top four seeds (one 9-inning game Thursday and Friday with a second 9-inning game if necessary on Friday).

The remaining four teams move forward to a four-team double elimination tournament in Sioux Falls hosted by Augustana University May 19-21, 2021.

Spectator policies for the first-round games on May 13-14, are based upon the host institutions current spectator policies and procedures. For the final round games on May 19-21 in Sioux Falls, S.D. there will not be a limit on attendance but social distancing along with masking/face covering will need to be followed while moving around the facility. 

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.
 
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