WINONA, Minn. – The Winona State University softball team will host the University of Sioux Falls in a doubleheader today, April 2 in their home opener of 2022. To allow for better field conditions, first pitch is now scheduled 2 p.m. (originally set at 1 p.m.) at Maynard Johnson Field in Winona, Minn.
Between the two contests, Winona State Athletics will recognize the most recent Presidential Scholar-Athletes from the Spring, 2021 and Fall, 2021 semesters. Over 300 Warrior student-athletes earned the honor by having a semester grade point average of 3.20 or higher.
On the field, today's matchup marks the first time the two teams have played since April 10, 2021. On that date, WSU and USF split, with the Warriors earning a 6-0 shutout win over the Cougars, before falling in the nightcap, 9-6. On home turf, Winona State owns a 7-0 mark over USF, dating back to April 21, 2013. The Warriors last hosted Sioux Falls on April 6, 2019, taking the contests by 2-0 and 4-3 scores, respectively.
This season, Winona State is 14-8 overall, 0-0 in NSIC play. The Warriors' original home opener against Upper Iowa University, originally scheduled for Tuesday, March 29, was postponed due to weather and field conditions. The University of Sioux Falls is 13-10 overall and 1-1 in NSIC action. Most recently, the Cougars split with Southwest Minnesota State, winning game one versus the Mustangs 11-7 but falling in the nightcap, 3-0.
The Warriors have been idle since the weekend of March 19-20, when WSU went 2-2 at the Missouri Western Fairfield Inn and Suites Classic. Warrior pitcher
Liz Pautz currently ranks second in all of NCAA Division II softball in strikeouts per seven innings (13.5) and total strikeouts (148).
Kayla Kerkman leads the Warriors in batting average (.375) while
Rylee Stout and
Libby Neveau are tied for the team lead in home runs with four apiece.
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.
