Winona, Minn. – Winona State baseball opened up a three-game series against Minnesota State this afternoon but dropped the opener by a score of 3-12.

The Warriors and Mavericks were knotted up in a pitching duel through the first 4.5 innings, as Nicolas Herold allowed just one hit through his first five innings on the mound.

In the bottom of the fifth, WSU's bats came alive beginning with a Mason Trocke double over the center fielder's head. Nick Herbst backed that up with a double of his own to bring in Trocke and give WSU the first run of the game. Carter Brinkman singled up the middle to send Trocke across home plate and give the Warriors a two-run lead. Winona State scored two runs on four hits in the fifth, but left the bases loaded.

Minnesota State was able to answer back with four runs on four hits in the top of the sixth to jump out in front 4-2 after the top half of the sixth. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth, Dane Weiland drew a walk which brought in Cooper Kapanke to bring WSU back within one run.

The Mavericks added two more runs in the top of the seventh and four more in the top of the eighth inning to add insurance and go ahead 10-3 over WSU. The Warriors failed to bring any more runs across the plate, while MSU added two in the top of the ninth and eventually won 12-3.

Herold pitched five great innings, but gave up four runs, including two earned runs, in the fifth inning and had a final line of 5.1 innings pitched while giving up four hits and striking out 11 of 21 batters faced. The rest of the game was done by committee for Winona State as Zach Watzka, John Breske, Nathan Platter, Chandler Schmidt, and Charlie Stenson combined to pitch the final 3.2 innings.

Herbst and Brinkman each had multi-hit games for the Warriors and they both drove in one run each. Weiland reached base on three of his five plate appearances and also drove in a run.

Brendan Knoll earned the win for Minnesota State, giving up three runs on eight hits in 5.2 innings pitched. Mikey Gottschalk led the Mavericks with four hits and five RBIs, while Ben Livorsi and Ross Indlecoffer each hit balls over the right field fence.

Winona State (9-15, 7-6 NSIC) and Minnesota State (23-5, 16-3 NSIC) will play a doubleheader tomorrow, April 16. First pitch for the front end of the doubleheader will be at 1pm at Loughrey Field with the second game to follow.

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.